Yair Golan Demands Apology, $670,000 from Sara Netanyahu Over Nova Survivors Remarks

Retired Major General Yair Golan, chairman of the Democratic Party, has sent a legal warning letter to Sara Netanyahu, wife of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, demanding an apology and compensation following remarks she made on Channel 14.

Golan is demanding that Netanyahu issue a correction and apology within 24 hours, and arrange for a financial compensation payment to be donated to survivors of the Nova music festival massacre. If his demands are not met, Golan threatens to pursue legal action and sue for at least 2.5 million shekels (approximately $670,000).

The letter states that during the interview, Netanyahu was shown a video of Golan participating in a protest against the government's judicial overhaul. Following the video, Netanyahu commented that when a high-ranking military officer like Golan claims to have been a fighter on October 7th, he was already dressed and ready very early in the morning, before others, including the Prime Minister, were aware.

Golan's lawyers argue that Netanyahu's statement implies he had prior knowledge of the planned massacre and arrived on the scene before the Prime Minister knew the war had begun. They also contend that her use of the phrase "claims to be a fighter" casts doubt on his participation in combat on October 7th.

The letter details Golan's account of that morning: after the scale of the disaster became apparent, he left his home in his private car for the Home Front Command headquarters. En route, he texted the commander offering his services. Upon arrival, he was inducted, collected equipment and a rifle, and drove towards the Gaza border area. He subsequently located and rescued six young people who had fled the Nova festival, some alone, some with others, and some with a special forces team. Golan demands Netanyahu retract her "false and baseless" statements and clarify that her remarks were untrue.