Yair Golan Promises to End Home Demolitions in Arab Sector, Criticizes Ben Gvir's Policy

Yair Golan, chairman of the Democratic Party, publicly condemned National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir's policy of demolishing illegal homes in the Arab sector. In a Facebook post written in Arabic, Golan addressed the Arab community in Israel, stating that demolitions worsen the housing crisis rather than solve it. He pledged that if his political camp forms the next government, it will promote construction plans, regulate building, and cooperate closely with local authorities and residents in Arab towns.

Golan emphasized the complexity of the task but insisted it is achievable with a government committed to solving problems rather than exacerbating them. He called for replacing the current government through Jewish-Arab partnership, labeling the existing government as racist. Accompanying his post was a video message, also in Arabic, where Golan asserted that Ben Gvir would be out of office within three months and that his administration would halt such "showcase operations" of home demolitions.

Avi Cohen, head of the Land Enforcement Authority, also supported the initiative, promising that the next government would approve building plans in all Arab communities and work in partnership with local leadership and residents. Golan's statements come amid ongoing tensions over home demolitions in Arab areas, highlighting a political divide on how to address the housing shortage and legal status of construction in these communities.