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Yair Golan Calls Killing Khamenei a Mistake, Cites Israeli Interests
During a conference in Rishon LeZion on Friday, October 9, 2026, the chairman of the Democrats party, Yair Golan, sparked controversy by calling the assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei a strategic mistake. Golan clarified that while Khamenei deserved to die, his elimination did not serve Israel's interests. He argued that an elderly, veteran leader like the 86-year-old Khamenei presented a certain advantage, whereas the subsequent Iranian leadership is more extreme and violent.
8 newsrooms · 2 languages · since
What happened
- 01Democrats chairman Yair Golan stated that the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was a strategic mistake that did not serve Israel's interests.
- 02Golan argued that an elderly leader like the 86-year-old Khamenei presented a strategic advantage compared to the more extreme and violent leaders who succeeded him.
- 03Ali Khamenei was killed in a surprise joint air strike by Israel and the United States, and his body was recovered from a bombed compound.
- 04Golan asserted that the "Roar of the Lion" operation worsened Israel's strategic position due to Prime Minister Netanyahu setting unrealistic war aims.
- 05Golan claimed that Khamenei's son is currently controlled by Iran's ultra-extremist strategic security establishment.
- 06At the Rishon LeZion event, Golan sparked controversy by calling the Haredi public a "parasitic population" that must become productive.
- 07According to i24NEWS, Golan criticized state funding for the Haredi community, labeling it as "organized unemployment."
- 08Golan accused Prime Minister Netanyahu of perpetuating Hamas's rule in Gaza and having limited operational freedom to strike Iran.
Khamenei was killed in a surprise joint attack by the Israeli and United States air forces, with his body recovered from a bombed compound during the opening strike of the operation. Golan asserted that the "Roar of the Lion" operation worsened Israel's strategic position because Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu set an unrealistic war aim of overthrowing the Iranian regime. Golan also suggested that Khamenei's son, who he believes is currently functioning as leader, is controlled by Iran's ultra-extremist strategic security echelon.
In addition to his security remarks, Golan criticized domestic policies, calling the Haredi public a "parasitic population" that needs to be transformed into a productive one. According to i24NEWS, he also criticized the government's funding of the Haredi population, describing it as "organized unemployment." Golan further accused Prime Minister Netanyahu of perpetuating Hamas's rule in Gaza and suggested that Netanyahu's operational freedom regarding a strike in Iran is currently limited.
Summarized by baba from the reports of 6 newsrooms. Updated
Latest report: i24NEWS English. Read i24NEWS English’s original
The coverage
8 newsrooms on this story
Who covered it
- LeftNone
- Centre3
- Right3
- Haredi2
- ArabNone
Not in the Left or Arab press
