Yair Golan Slams Herzog, Allies for Paving Way for Netanyahu Unity Government

Yair Golan, chairman of the Democrats party, launched a sharp attack Wednesday against the possibility of a unity government with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after the elections. He accused President Isaac Herzog and those he termed "mouthpieces" of preparing the ground for such a move before the public has cast its vote. Golan warned that the upcoming elections are the most fateful for Israel's future, emphasizing they are "about our home, our lives, about who we are."

Golan specifically criticized Herzog, stating, "Even before we voted, before the nation has spoken, Buji and the mouthpieces are already preparing the ground for 'unity' with Netanyahu." He asserted this is an attempt to discourage opposition voters and convince them that Netanyahu will remain in power regardless of the outcome. "I tell you: this is a lie. It is possible to win. We can replace this government. And we will do it," Golan declared.

The Democrats chairman argued that proponents of a unity government with Netanyahu aim to overlook his alleged responsibility for the October 7th failures and the government's subsequent conduct. He listed accusations including abandoning hostages, funding mass draft evasion during wartime, looting public funds, crushing democracy, inciting division, lying, and tearing the nation apart. Golan warned that joining a Netanyahu-led government would allow him another four years of "destruction, corruption, abandonment," which he believes would endanger Israel's future as a Jewish and democratic state.

Golan urged his supporters and anti-government protest activists not to give up on the possibility of replacing the current leadership. "Don't let any party take your vote and use it to bring Netanyahu back to power," he stated. He pledged that his party would not join a Netanyahu government, saying, "You know me. You know I won't fold. I won't sell your vote. I will not enable a Netanyahu government, in any way or for any excuse."

He called on voters to support his party in the October 27th elections, presenting the Democrats as the guarantee against Netanyahu's return to power. In response, Benny Gantz, chairman of the National Unity party, wrote on Facebook, "Yair, don't be the Ben-Gvir of the left."