https://arab.news/rae7u
The latest episode of Arab News’ “Frankly Speaking” series of interviews lived up to its name and reputation when interviewer Katie Jensen took on former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, never an easy interviewee but always good value in terms of straight talking.
Olmert, who will celebrate his 80th birthday next month, has in recent years taken on the mantle of the responsible adult of Israeli politics, a kind of a sage at the gate warning against the existential dangers emanating from Benjamin Netanyahu’s long and unbearable tenure as prime minister — even more so since the latter has partnered in power with the most extreme right-wing messianic elements in Israeli politics.
Olmert is challenging to interview but never boring or short of novel ideas, partly because of his own personal and political journey, which lends much weight to what he says, but partly because he is ready to deliver certain home truths that few others in Israeli politics are willing to articulate with the same courage.
This is especially important in these dark days for Israel’s politics and society. His political career has ranged from the heights of serving in government and ascending to the prime minister’s office, as well as the rock bottom of resigning from that office after he was indicted for corruption and given a custodial sentence.
