Democrats Leader Yair Golan Urges Opposition to Avoid Unity Government with Likud

Yair Golan, chairman of the Democrats party, called on the leaders of the "change bloc" to urgently form a new government, emphasizing that they must not offer a lifeline to the right-wing bloc. Speaking at his party's headquarters after polls closed on Tuesday, Golan stated that the Israeli public had dismissed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Likud party, and it was now crucial to ensure this "dismissal" takes effect.

Golan asserted that the "change bloc" had won, and that the public had taken their fate into their own hands. He criticized the outgoing government for "governmental neglect," societal division, and the "crushing of state institutions," framing the election as a rejection of a government he described as one of "evasion, corruption, and extreme nationalism."

He stressed the urgency of forming a new government, particularly in light of escalating security tensions with Iran. Golan stated that Israel's security was at stake and that any delay in forming a new government could have severe consequences. He also placed responsibility on the opposition to prevent Netanyahu from leading Israel into war for political reasons, highlighting that lives were on the line.

Golan explicitly urged the "change bloc" leaders not to consider a unity government with the Likud under any circumstances. He declared that the mandate received from the public was a "mission order" for national rehabilitation, demanding that leaders not hesitate, put aside egos, or engage in political maneuvering. He identified Netanyahu, Itamar Ben-Gvir, Bezalel Smotrich, Aryeh Deri, and Yitzhak Goldknopf as those who had "ended their harmful and terrible tenure."

"Under no condition and in no situation should we give them a lifeline," Golan warned. "We must not answer calls from Balfour [the Prime Minister's official residence], we must not be tempted by empty offers, we must not blink."