Left-Wing Critics Target Roy Folkman After Joining Gadi Eizenkot’s 'Yashar' Party

Roy Folkman, former Knesset member and ex-chairman of the Kulanu faction, joined the new political party "Yashar," led by former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot, on Monday. Shortly after his announcement, left-wing activists and social media users launched a fierce online campaign against him, accusing Folkman of holding right-leaning views and being ideologically close to Benjamin Netanyahu’s camp. Critics highlighted his past statements, including his willingness to sit with Netanyahu despite corruption charges and his frequent appearances as a panelist on Channel 14, a network associated with right-wing politics.

The backlash intensified with comparisons to MK Idit Silman, who defected from Yamina to Likud and was later ousted in party primaries. Some critics labeled Folkman a "Trojan horse" within Eizenkot’s party, citing his previous political alliances and actions, such as his time in Kulanu under Moshe Kahlon and his involvement in legislative efforts that aligned with right-wing interests. A 2017 post by journalist Haim Har-Zahav was also resurfaced, describing Folkman’s ideological flexibility and past indecision between left-wing student factions.

Despite the criticism, Eizenkot praised Folkman as a "professional and diligent parliamentarian" with valuable political experience and knowledge of government systems. Folkman himself stated that he joined "Yashar" to promote a professional and statesmanlike leadership capable of turning plans into action and restoring dignity to the Knesset. The left-wing campaign against him appears to be an attempt to undermine his credibility within the new party by portraying him as aligned with Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc.

Folkman served in the 20th Knesset and was known for his active legislative role, leading Kulanu members in completed laws. He supported amendments to the Nation-State Law in 2018, emphasizing equality and individual rights alongside Israel’s Jewish and democratic character. After Kulanu merged with Likud in 2019, internal opposition prevented Folkman from joining Likud’s list. Since leaving the Knesset, he has remained active in public and economic issues and frequently appeared as a commentator on Channel 14, which now serves as a focal point for his critics.

The controversy highlights the challenges Eizenkot faces in consolidating a centrist party amid Israel’s polarized political landscape, with opponents quick to question the ideological purity of new members like Folkman.