Democrats Campaign Leader Golan Urges Candidates to Moderate Statements on West Bank Issues

The Democratic Party in Israel is facing internal discipline challenges after retired Major General Nimrod Shafir, placed 11th on the party list, publicly criticized Central Command Chief Major General Avi Blot over events in the Palestinian village of Kusra. Shafir tweeted that Blot should be removed from his post for failing in his duties but deleted the post following internal party criticism for breaching campaign discipline.

In response, party chairman Yair Golan and the campaign team instructed all candidates to moderate their public statements, especially on sensitive political issues related to the West Bank and the Palestinian state. Golan advised candidates to "learn from my mistakes," referencing his own past verbal missteps that caused damage.

During a meeting of 20 candidates at Beit Berl, the party emphasized coordinated messaging, overseen by campaign staff including Maya Bangal, Avi Moskal, and Golan's spokesperson Don Karlick. Candidate Somia Bashir, ranked 10th and the party's Arab representative, supported the call for restraint, stating, "I am the most Arab and Palestinian among you, and still, we need to calm down," which surprised and earned praise from some attendees.

Despite the directive to moderate, the party reaffirmed its commitment to fight for a Jewish and democratic state, oppose judicial overhaul laws, restore the military's role in border defense rather than policing West Bank protests, and ensure public funds support soldiers rather than draft dodgers. No direct comment was given on the new discipline instructions when asked by ynet.

The party's move reflects concerns that extreme or uncoordinated statements on divisive issues could harm its public image and electoral prospects ahead of the upcoming Knesset elections.