Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told Al Jazeera that "most of Israel's government is extreme and messianic," comparing it to the Iranian regime, according to the broadcast.
In a live interview on Qatari-owned Al Jazeera on Monday evening, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert likened the current Israeli government to the Iranian regime, saying "most of Israel's government is extreme and messianic." The remark, captured in a clip circulated by the broadcaster, drew immediate attention given Olmert's role as a former head of state and his rare appearance on a network that is often critical of Israel.
Olmert, who served as prime minister from 2006 to 2009, did not elaborate further in the brief excerpt available. The full context of the interview — including the questions that prompted the comparison — has not been published. The comment is likely to stoke political debate in Israel at a time of heightened security tensions with Iran and its proxies.
As The Zioneer has reported previously, the Iranian regime has been described as a theocratic government pursuing regional hegemony and openly calling for Israel's elimination — a characterization Olmert appeared to invoke for rhetorical comparison. No additional reaction from current Israeli officials has been reported yet.
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