Yair Golan Advocates for Government with Arab Parties, Drawing Sharp Criticism

Yair Golan, chairman of the Democrats, has publicly stated his support for forming a future government that includes Arab parties, specifically mentioning Ra'am. Speaking after a holiday, Golan described a "Jewish-Arab partnership in government" as a positive development and clarified that the "left bloc's goal is to include them as part of the government." He framed the upcoming post-election dilemma as a choice between establishing a "government of repair and rebuilding," and when asked if this included Ra'am, he responded affirmatively. This stance has drawn immediate and strong reactions from other political figures.

Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu and a coalition partner, vehemently rejected Golan's proposal. "I say again: no coalition will be formed with the Arab parties," Lieberman stated. He suggested Golan's remarks were driven by pressure from his party and voters following a recent vote to disqualify Balad chairman Sami Abu Shehadeh, and that Golan was "desperately trying to win back voters" with "untrue statements." Lieberman also accused Golan of losing support in the Arab sector.

The Likud party issued a statement accusing Golan and his partner Eizenkot of revealing the "truth" about their intention to form a "left-wing government with Arab parties." Likud asserted that the election is a choice between "right or Palestine" and that only Likud would prevent such a "left-Arab government" involving Eizenkot, Golan, Lieberman, Bennett, and Arab parties.

Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich also criticized Golan, stating that Golan was voicing what his partners Eizenkot and Lieberman were trying to hide. Smotrich warned that the three would form a "dangerous government," a "season government" in partnership with Arab parties, which he claimed would continue the "tyranny of the justice system," lead to the evacuation of settlements and outposts, and harm Israel's Jewish identity.