Golan Backs Arab Party in Government; Aides Clarify Stance

Democratic Party chairman Yair Golan stated on Sunday that he supports the inclusion of an Arab party in the Israeli government, calling it a "natural, correct, worthy, democratic" step that would represent a genuine correction after years of incitement. Shortly after the interview, Golan's office issued a clarification emphasizing that his remarks reflected only his party's position and that the issue of integrating Arab parties had not been discussed at a meeting of opposition bloc leaders the previous evening.

The opposition bloc meeting, which Golan described as having a "real emergency atmosphere," concluded with leaders signing a "joint principles document for replacing the government." The leaders announced that replacing the current government is their primary shared goal, requiring them to work together despite ideological differences. Golan praised the meeting, noting the participants' "absolute determination" to form a "government of repair," stating there would be no other option.

One significant ideological disagreement within the bloc concerns the two-state solution, opposed by National Unity Party chairman Gadi Eisenkot. Responding to these differences, Golan asserted that Israel's most crucial security assets are its peace agreements with Egypt and Jordan. He added that true security relies on political arrangements, which necessitate addressing the Palestinian issue "wisely and responsibly" without compromising security.

Ofer Vinter's 'Am Israel' party criticized Golan's remarks, stating that the only Arab parties in the political map support terrorism and that Golan's stance proves the choice in the upcoming election is between Vinter as defense minister pushing for a decisive outcome, or a "Golan-Eisenkot-Abbas government" incapable of achieving any decision. The Likud party also reacted, accusing Golan of revealing the "left bloc's plan" to include Arab parties like Mansour Abbas's, calling it "natural, correct, and worthy." The Likud further claimed Eisenkot would form a "left-wing government with Yair Golan, Liberman, Bennett, and the Arab parties."