Image by getty images

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert accused Benjamin Netanyahu of declaring war on the United States.

“We’ve declared war on the American government. You can’t deny this,” Olmert said Sunday at panel discussion during a special conference on the Geneva agreement at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv, according to Israeli media.

Olmert said Israel should not be leading the international effort against Iran’s nuclear program and that that role should be left to the United States.

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

“Israel should be a partner in this fight but cannot and should not lead the international fight,” Olmert said. ”This was the Sharon government’s position and the position of my government as well.”

Netanyahu has publicly called the agreement arrived at in Geneva last month between Iran and the world powers, under which provides some sanctions relief for Iran in exchange for rollbacks in Iran’s nuclear program, a “bad deal” and a “historic mistake.”

“I hope this will not be perceived as an attack on the prime minister,” Olmert said. “But the state of Israel should cease to criticize the policy of the U.S. and the policymakers of the United States.”

Netanyahu, in Rome for a meeting with Pope Francis, responded to Olmert’s barbs, saying, according to the Jerusalem Post: “When I see that our vital interests are at stake I will not shut up.”

A message from our Publisher & CEO Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount