Internal Turmoil Hits Israel's Democratic Party Over Controversial Candidate Remarks

Israel's Democratic Party is facing a severe internal crisis following controversial statements by candidate Moshe Redman, who is ninth on the party's Knesset list. Redman sparked public outrage after expressing condolences to both victims' families and the family of a terrorist involved in a deadly attack in Samaria, while blaming settlers and settlements for escalating violence. This provoked widespread criticism across the political spectrum and triggered a fierce confrontation within the party.

During a tense closed-door party meeting, members sharply criticized Redman for damaging the campaign and risking a drop to single-digit Knesset seats. Party chairman Yair Golan acknowledged mistakes in managing the fallout, admitting, "There was a mistake on Friday." Members including Amri Ronen and Naama Lazimi demanded Redman cease acting independently and warned his extreme stance could lead to electoral collapse.

The turmoil also worries opposition factions, especially right-leaning parties concerned that the Democratic Party's provocations might alienate moderate right-wing voters. Avigdor Lieberman, leader of Yisrael Beiteinu, explicitly stated in internal discussions that while cooperation with Golan's party might be necessary, they must not be given key security or justice portfolios, marking a clear red line.

Redman secured his spot through recent primaries with record participation, alongside other notable candidates like Yair Pink and Amri Ronen. Despite polls suggesting the party could gain 9 to 11 seats, the current discord raises doubts about its internal discipline and unified policy stance, particularly on sensitive security and settlement issues.