Yair Golan Calls for Unity Government with Arab Citizens, Citing 65-Seat Majority

Yair Golan, Chairman of the Democrats party, called on Wednesday for the formation of a "change government" in partnership with Arab citizens of Israel, asserting that the "change bloc" holds a majority of 65 Knesset seats compared to 55 for the opposing bloc. Speaking after election results were finalized, Golan criticized the disqualification of Arab citizens' votes and challenged Benjamin Netanyahu's mandate calculations, stating, "Netanyahu lost. I know how to count to 120. 65 is more than 55. That's how Israeli democracy works. Period."

Golan emphasized that Israel has no future if it doesn't cease its fear and racism, and must stop the division between Jewish and Arab votes. He equated the vote of an Arab citizen in Tayibe to that of an Israeli citizen in Givat Shmuel, stating, "The voice of an Israeli citizen voting in Tayibe is worth exactly the same as the voice of an Israeli citizen voting in Givat Shmuel. No less. Not approximately. Exactly."

He further argued that those who try to erase the votes of Arab citizens are surrendering to Netanyahu and giving up on Israel. Golan also addressed the issue of Zionism and the ultra-Orthodox parties, pointing out that Netanyahu's bloc includes 16 Knesset members from non-Zionist ultra-Orthodox parties who promote draft evasion while Israeli soldiers fight and die. He suggested that if Netanyahu insists on counting only a Zionist majority, he should first remove these 16 members from his bloc.

Golan presented his own mandate calculations, stating the "change bloc" has a Zionist majority of 49 to 39, and an Israeli majority of 65 to 55. He concluded with a call to action, urging for courage and leadership to establish a change government in partnership with Arab citizens that will serve all Israelis. "We have a majority. We have a responsibility. And we have an opportunity to establish a change government in partnership with Arab citizens of Israel. A government that will serve all citizens of Israel. Now we need courage. We need leadership. We need to stop being afraid and start acting. A change government now."

Knesset Member Vladimir Beliak, ranked 16th on the party list, posted on X that despite the complex morning and personal disappointment, he believes the picture will change for the better and wished his elected colleagues success in the 26th Knesset, urging them to make brave decisions.