Democrats Party Conference in Nahariya Disrupted by Stone-Throwing Protesters

The Democrats party held a conference in Nahariya on Wednesday, attended by hundreds of people, including party chairman Yair Golan and Knesset members Naama Lazimi, Gilad Kariv, and Efrat Rayten. According to the party, activists from Otzma Yehudit, including Tzachi Eliyahu, who is ranked eighth on their list, arrived at the event. Some of these activists allegedly threw stones at conference attendees, with one person sustaining a head injury. Eliyahu himself reportedly confronted Democrats activists and was escorted out by security. One Democrat activist was taken for police questioning after Eliyahu claimed the activist kicked him upon entering the political gathering. No other arrests or detentions were made.

Stones were also thrown during a speech by MK Efrat Rayten, who urged police and Knesset guards to take the disruptions seriously. The Democrats party stated that protesters shouted slogans such as "Germans to Germany" and "Traitors leftists." A particularly emotional moment occurred when Racheli Sade, mother of Sivan Sade, who was killed by a rocket from Lebanon while working on his kibbutz, took the stage. The party reported that the protesters continued to shout and disrupt even during her speech. The Democrats party declared they are no longer afraid and that the shame of the Otzma Yehudit members for disrupting the speech of a bereaved parent will remain with them forever.

Golan stated at the conference that the party is returning to the path of Yitzhak Rabin and intends to redirect budgets from tax evaders and illegal outposts to the north and western Negev. He envisions these areas becoming safe and prosperous, prioritizing national investment to encourage young people to settle and build families there. The Democrats party announced plans to formulate a multi-year government program for the rehabilitation and development of the north, with a budget of NIS 15 billion over at least seven years.