Published: 15 July 2025
Last updated: 15 July 2025
What do you see as your most important role as leader of the Israeli Democrats party?
I made the decision to enter political life after 38 years of service in the military. I knew that doing so would come at heavy personal cost. However, seeing the current government’s attempts to weaken Israel’s democratic and social foundations, I could not remain on the sidelines. This was even more the case after October 7. These considerations guide my political career today.
As leader of the Democrats, my goal is to help shape a broad political home for liberal and democratic Israel, which I see as today’s authentic Zionism.
Would you join a centrist bloc with Yesh Atid and National Unity?
The answer is a resounding yes. I am working around the clock to create a broad democratic camp that will put Israel back on the right path. My first step when elected leader of the Labor Party last year was to merge with Meretz and form the Democrats, and further consolidation of our camp is both possible and necessary. I believe this to be the most effective way to bring real change.
Do you feel disconnected from the main discourse as Israeli society and voters have veered to the right?
The short answer is no, and I disagree with your assumption.
Ever since the last government was sworn in, the Israeli public has united around a number of issues. The first is the desire to preserve Israel’s democratic institutions; the second is the desire to live in peace and security; and the third is the call to enforce an egalitarian draft law. These critical issues are in line with the agenda of the Democrats, and we will prove it in the next elections.
How are you reclaiming space for the left?
In today’s political climate, I think it is a mistake to follow the old conventions of ‘right’ and ‘left’.
The true dividing line today is between those who cherish liberal democracy, as our founding generation did, and those who are trying to steer Israel towards authoritarianism or theocracy. A majority of Israelis want to live in a country based on liberal and democratic values. We need to make sure that is what is represented inside the Knesset.
Do you still believe in a two-state solution?
Yes. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict will only be resolved, in my view, through a political agreement. If we do not separate ourselves from the Palestinians, the alternative is annexation, and that is a catastrophe for Israel. That is not to say that we are close to an agreement right now. Rebuilding trust will take time, but we can and should take practical steps on the ground to make it clear to everyone that this is where we are headed.
Will the “Yair Golan” bill pass, and what are the implications regarding silencing other voices?
The proposed bill, which would allow the government to strip former senior officials of their rank and pension, is an attempt to distract the public from the government’s catastrophic failures and is part of its plan to limit checks on its power and criticism in the public sphere.
It is not the first nor the last anti-democratic proposal that will be raised by Netanyahu’s government.
In your famous speech as Deputy Chief of Staff on Yom HaShoah in 2016, you drew a parallel between Europe — particularly Germany — in the 1930s and present-day Israel. Almost 10 years later, how do you reflect on that comparison, the speech, and the storm it created?
I think people can look at how far we've come since I made that speech, and judge for themselves.
As Deputy Chief of Staff, you worked closely with Netanyahu. It was recently reported that you were his first choice for Chief of Staff. Is the Netanyahu of today different from the one you knew and worked with?
I am not much interested in Netanyahu as an individual. I judge his actions as the Prime Minister of Israel. His current management of the country, with the most extreme and radical ministers Israel has ever known in the driving seat, is dangerous and an immediate threat to our future.
This is what keeps me up at night, and this is why we will send him home.
You have spoken about the dangers of “tribalism” in Israel. What practical policies would you implement to bridge these divides and foster a more cohesive national identity?
Two words: moral clarity. People are ultimately united by values. Once we remove the hateful, un-Israeli government that has taken hold of the discourse in Israel, we will be able to recover from its purposely designed toxic climate.
How can Israel work with the ultra-Orthodox community to achieve a successful Haredi draft?
Today’s Haredi youth are strongly incentivised, both legally and financially, by the government not to integrate into Israeli society. The moment we stop subsidising draft dodging, Haredi youth will begin a long-overdue process of integration.
Do you think aid distribution should return to UN control, or can Israel and the US manage it effectively?
Israel should work on a political framework to bring the hostages home, end the war, and pass responsibility onto a moderate Palestinian leadership that works with moderate and pragmatic regional partners to bring stability and reconstruction to Gaza.
We also need to start our process of recovery and rebuilding, including a full inquiry and elections.
Yair Golan will share his vision for Israel’s future in an online event co-presented by several Australian Jewish community groups on Sunday 20 July. Learn more and register here.
Comments2
Ian Light21 July at 09:58 pm
The Centre- Left ought form a Coalition with the Centre -Right with Netanyahu leading as Prime-Minister .
An end to the war is then possible and the least entry of food aid can increase substantially .
The Two States is Decades a way and a Palestine Autonomy-State cannot threaten Israel .
DAVID SINGER16 July at 02:12 am
The two-state solution is dead and buried. Has Yair Golan ever heard of the Hashemite Kingdom of Palestine solution? Here is the link.
https://english.alarabiya.net/in-translation/2022/06/08/The-Hashemite-Kingdom-of-Palestine