This New York Times podcast features an interview between Ezra Klein and Ehud Olmert, former Prime Minister of Israel, focusing on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the current state of affairs in Gaza and the West Bank. Olmert expresses his evolving views on the conflict, criticizing Israel's actions in Gaza as excessive and potentially constituting war crimes, driven by Prime Minister Netanyahu's personal political survival. The discussion covers topics such as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the role of extremist factions within the Israeli government, settlement expansion in the West Bank, and the potential for a two-state solution. Olmert argues for a shift in Israeli policy towards compromise and negotiation, warning of the long-term consequences of continued occupation and the erosion of international support for Israel. He emphasizes the need for new leadership in Israel that prioritizes peace and security over territorial expansion and addresses the emotional immaturity that characterizes Israel.
