Ehud Olmert, who served as Israel's Prime Minister from 2006 to 2009, has voiced his support for the British government's recent decision to sanction specific extremist settlers operating in the West Bank. His endorsement follows a statement by the British Foreign Minister, who cited Olmert’s perspective when announcing the new restrictive measures.

In his comments, Olmert used strong language to describe the actions of these settlers, labeling them a 'group of murderous criminal terrorists.' He accused these individuals of engaging in a systematic campaign to 'harm, steal, destroy, burn and kill Palestinians.' Olmert explicitly characterized these activities as 'ethnic cleansing,' a term that carries significant weight in international discourse regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The sanctions imposed by the UK are part of an increasing international effort to address rising tensions and violence in the West Bank. While Olmert’s stance aligns with the UK's policy, it highlights a sharp divide within Israeli public opinion regarding the treatment of settler violence and the appropriate response from the international community. The Times of Israel reports that Olmert’s rhetoric is intended to draw a clear distinction between the Israeli state and the actions of extremist groups, though his use of the term 'ethnic cleansing' remains a highly contentious point in the broader debate over the future of the West Bank.