Yair Golan Sends Legal Threat to Sara Netanyahu Over Conspiracy Claims

Yair Golan, chairman of the Democratic Party, has sent a legal warning letter to Sara Netanyahu, wife of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, threatening a lawsuit for defamation. The letter was sent following an interview on Channel 14 where Netanyahu allegedly echoed conspiracy theories about Golan's actions on October 7th, which Golan claims constitute severe defamation.

Golan is demanding a public apology within 24 hours and a NIS 2.5 million compensation payment, to be donated to survivors of the Nova music festival massacre. He asserts that Netanyahu's false statements are part of a deliberate effort to rewrite history, slander those who defended the country, and obscure the government's responsibility for the failures of October 7th.

The letter details Golan's account of October 7th, refuting Netanyahu's insinuations. According to the letter, Golan learned of the Hamas attack at 6:29 AM with the first sirens, left his home in his private vehicle for the Home Front Command headquarters, armed himself with a rifle, and proceeded to the Gaza border area. There, he repeatedly entered areas where festival-goers had fled, rescuing six individuals at personal risk.

Golan's legal team stated that Netanyahu's words are slanderous and false, attempting to portray Golan as a traitor and deliberately obscuring facts to damage his reputation before the upcoming elections. They added that Golan will not allow an attempt to erase the heroism of soldiers, security teams, civilians, and volunteers by rewriting history.

Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, supported Golan, urging him not to yield to what he called a "poison organization and psychopaths." Golan himself stated that the aim is to rewrite October 7th to erase Netanyahu's responsibility for the national failure, portraying defenders as traitors and those who allegedly funded Hamas as victims. He vowed to establish a state commission of inquiry to uncover the truth and identify those responsible.

In the Channel 14 interview, Sara Netanyahu had suggested Golan was prepared early on October 7th, implying he had prior knowledge of the attack, unlike the Prime Minister. The French news agency AFP reported on the interview, noting that Netanyahu hinted an opposition leader knew about the planned attack weeks before the anticipated close elections.

The Likud party responded to Golan's letter, claiming Sara Netanyahu never alleged a conspiracy regarding October 7th and stated the opposite in the interview. The Democratic Party retorted that Likud has 20 hours left to apologize and 56 days to leave the Prime Minister's residence.