Yair Golan Warns Netanyahu May Exploit Security Crisis to Disrupt Israeli Elections
Yair Golan, chairman of the Democratic Party, expressed serious concerns about Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's security judgment amid the election period following a recent attack in Syria near the Turkish border. Golan accused Netanyahu of deliberately seeking to create a security crisis for political gain, potentially using it as a pretext to delay or disrupt the upcoming elections. He warned that Netanyahu, along with allies Smotrich and Ben Gvir, would not respect democratic outcomes if unfavorable and emphasized the need for a decisive electoral victory to prevent any legitimacy doubts.
Golan criticized the Likud primary results, blaming the party for the October 7 massacre, corruption, and damaging Israel's global standing, and ruled out forming a unity government with Likud, even without Netanyahu. He also rejected including ultra-Orthodox parties in the next coalition, citing their role in corruption and societal division, while advocating for cooperation with Arab parties as essential for national unity and democracy.
Regarding the future prime minister, Golan suggested the highest likelihood is Benny Gantz, with the Democratic Party holding the balance of power to decide the next government. He stressed the party's commitment to strengthening Israel's security and democracy and vowed to resist any government of compromise that fails to address these issues.
Golan acknowledged internal challenges within the opposition bloc, including concerns about new members' resilience against Netanyahu's pressures and the influence of the Kohelet Forum. He highlighted four agreed priorities among the opposition: combating Jewish terrorism, restoring order in the West Bank, dismantling illegal outposts, and pursuing a political horizon.
On the West Bank, Golan condemned the legitimization of Jewish terrorism by the current government, warning it endangers Israeli lives and Israel's international standing. He called for restoring the Judea and Samaria district's authority and stressed the necessity of a political solution alongside security measures. Reflecting on his 2015 "processes speech," Golan noted that his warnings have proven accurate.
Finally, Golan addressed criticism over breaking a promise to reserve a spot on the Democratic list for Einav Tsangocker, explaining the decision was difficult but necessary due to the party's primary process. He reaffirmed his leadership approach as one that embraces tough decisions for the greater good.
