Yair Golan Vows to Close Ali Pre-Military Academy Despite Fallen Soldiers' Sacrifice
Yair Golan, former IDF general and current leader of the Democratic Party, announced his intention to shut down the Ali pre-military academy, despite the fact that 30 of its alumni have died in combat and many others were wounded. Golan's stance reflects a deep-seated animosity within parts of the Israeli left toward the religious-nationalist community represented by Ali, which he and others label as "messianic". This hostility persists even in the face of significant sacrifices made by these young soldiers in recent conflicts, including battles in the Gaza envelope.
The article draws a historical parallel to Jewish soldiers in Germany during World War I, who believed their loyalty and sacrifice would end anti-Semitism, only to find that hatred remained unchanged. Similarly, the author argues, the Israeli left's hatred toward religious-nationalist Jews is irrational and impervious to facts or heroism. This internal enmity, described as "the internal enemy," is said to overshadow ideological debates and fuels ongoing division.
The piece cites David Ben-Gurion's view that the messianic vision of the prophets sustained the Jewish people and led to the establishment of the State of Israel, a perspective the author suggests is ignored or misunderstood by figures like Golan. The article concludes that no amount of sacrifice or noble action will alter the negative perception held by the left toward the religious-nationalist sector, as this hatred is deeply ingrained and forms part of their identity.
The controversy highlights the ongoing tensions within Israeli society between secular left-wing factions and religious-nationalist groups, especially regarding the role of institutions like the Ali academy, which prepares young people for military service with a strong ideological and religious foundation. Golan's call to close the academy is seen as emblematic of this broader conflict.
Key next steps include monitoring political and public reactions to Golan's statement and any moves toward shutting down the Ali academy, which could further inflame societal divisions.
