Former PM Olmert against Iran strike

Ehud Olmert adds his voice to growing chorus of officials, says now is not the time to initiate Israeli military strike

AP and Ynet|Published: 04.29.12 , 23:35

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has added his voice to a growing chorus of Israeli officials against a military strike on Iran's nuclear facilities.

Olmert spoke to Israel's Channel 10 TV from New York Sunday.

"There is no reason at this time not to talk about a military effort," he said, "but definitely not to initiate an Israeli military strike." Olmert was Israel's prime minister from 2006-2009.

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His remarks come after Israel's former internal security chief, Yuval Diskin, said the government is misleading the public on the level of effectiveness of a military strike.

Meir Dagan, Israel's ex-Mossad chief, told the station he supported Diskin.

דגן, אולמרט ואשכנזי בניו יורק

Dagan (R), Olmert (M) and former IDF chief Gabi Ashkenazi

Over the weekend, former Shin Bet chief Yuval Diskin accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak of peddling the "false notion" that an Israeli strike on Iran's nuclear facilities would bar the country from developing an atom bomb.

Speaking at a conference in central Israel, Diskin declared his distrust in the two ministers' leadership capabilities.

"I don't trust management that relies on messianic leadership. Our two messiahs from Caesarea and from the Akrirov Towers are not fit to stand at the helm of the government," he said.

Diskin's statements created uproar in Israel but were also reinforced by various senior officials. Dagan, who has repeatedly voiced his objection to a strike on Iran, backed Diskin and praised him as a highly capable and experienced person.