Democrats Chair Yair Golan Rebukes Naor Narkis Over Controversial Comments on Religious Soldiers

Yair Golan, chairman of the Israeli political party The Democrats, revealed in a radio interview on June 26 that he had a serious reprimanding conversation with Naor Narkis, a candidate in the party's upcoming primaries. The discussion followed Narkis's controversial remarks criticizing religious soldiers from Hesder yeshivas, claiming they suffered higher casualty rates in recent conflicts due to not completing full military service like secular soldiers. Narkis stated on i24NEWS that "if they had done full service like seculars, maybe they wouldn't fall so much."

Golan made clear that such statements attacking entire segments of Israeli society are unacceptable within his party. He emphasized that the party will not tolerate attacks on the religious-national sector or Hesder yeshiva students. Instead, Golan directed criticism toward political leaders from the religious Zionist camp, specifically naming Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir as the proper targets for public scrutiny. He said, "We are in a period where it is simply wrong to attack Hesder yeshiva students. We should focus on the political leadership of religious Zionism, which is driving us toward dangerous extremism."

The Democrats are preparing for primaries on July 20, with 85,000 registered members expected to shape the party's candidate list for the upcoming Knesset elections. The party has seen a surge in membership, reflecting growing support among voters seeking a political alternative. Naor Narkis, known for his secular activism and criticism of religious and ultra-Orthodox communities, has sparked significant controversy with his recent comments, prompting Golan's firm response to maintain party unity and respect for diverse societal groups.

Golan confirmed that Narkis acknowledged the reprimand and accepted the party's boundaries regarding discourse about religious communities. The incident highlights internal tensions within The Democrats as they navigate ideological differences ahead of the elections.