Golan Calls Khamenei Assassination Mistake, Criticizes Netanyahu

Yair Golan, Chairman of the Democrats, stated on Friday that the assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was a mistake, asserting it does not serve Israel's interests. Speaking at a cultural event in Rishon LeZion, Golan later elaborated on his X account, explaining that the assassination, without a regional political move to secure Israel's safety, empowered more extreme and violent elements within Iran's security leadership. He also argued that the war with Iran has worsened Israel's strategic position.

Golan placed responsibility for the war's objectives, conduct, and outcomes on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. When asked about a potential Israeli attack on Iran, Golan expressed a lack of trust in Netanyahu but estimated the Prime Minister's operational freedom is currently limited. Furthermore, Golan accused Netanyahu of perpetuating Hamas's rule in Gaza by refusing to establish an alternative governing body.

Defense Minister Israel Katz sharply criticized Golan, contrasting his current stance with past opposition from figures like Naftali Bennett, Yair Lapid, Avigdor Lieberman, Gadi Eisenkot, and Mansour Abbas to various perceived threats or policies. Katz questioned why enemies would not seek Netanyahu's downfall if this were the alternative.

The Religious Zionism party issued a statement calling Golan's remarks a "blinding warning light" for Israelis, attributing the continuation of fighting on all fronts to Minister Bezalel Smotrich's firm stance alongside Netanyahu in the war cabinet.