Yair Golan Sparks Outrage with Harsh Remarks Against Ultra-Orthodox Community
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
Yair Golan, leader of Israel's far-left Democratic Party, was recorded calling the ultra-Orthodox community "parasites" and an unbearable burden, comparing their situation to Palestinians. His remarks at a closed meeting in Kiryat Ono have sparked widespread outrage and accusations of incitement.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Yair Golan called the ultra-Orthodox community "parasites" living off others in a closed meeting.
- He said the Haredim, now 13.5% of Israel's population, are an unbearable burden on the state.
- Golan claimed Israelis cannot work or pay taxes for the Haredi community.
- He compared the treatment of Haredim to Palestinians, suggesting separation or integration.
- The recording was made public at a Democratic Party activists' meeting in Kiryat Ono.
- Golan's remarks have reignited controversy and accusations of incitement against him.
Yair Golan, chairman of the far-left Democratic Party in Israel, has ignited controversy after a recording from a closed activists' meeting in Kiryat Ono revealed him making severe derogatory remarks about the ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) community. In the recording, Golan referred to the Haredim as "parasites" living off the rest of the population and criticized their rapid population growth, which he said now constitutes 13.5% of Israel's population. He claimed that the Haredi community is an unbearable burden on the state, stating, "You are too heavy, we cannot carry you on our backs. We cannot work for you and pay taxes for you."
Golan further intensified the rhetoric by comparing the treatment of the Haredim to that of Palestinians, suggesting options of separation or integration, similar to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. These comments follow previous controversies involving Golan's statements and have sparked renewed accusations of incitement and hatred from political opponents and public figures. The exposure of this recording is likely to fuel further debate about societal divisions and the role of the Haredi community in Israeli society.
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