Yair Golan: "We must not be naive - Netanyahu wants a security crisis and to disrupt the elections"

Democratic Party chairman Yair Golan warns that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intends to create a security crisis during the election period in order to delay or disrupt the democratic process. In a wide-ranging interview, Golan clarifies that he has no intention of compromising on a partnership with Likud or the ultra-Orthodox parties, but is open to including an Arab party in a future coalition. He assesses that Gadi Eisenkot is the most likely candidate for prime minister, and states that the Democrats will be the "ideological backbone" of any future coalition.

Democratic Party chairman Yair Golan gave an extensive interview marking the launch of the weekend supplement, warning of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's intentions during the election period. Golan claims that Netanyahu wants to create a security crisis, referencing this week's attack in Syria, to gain an excuse to delay or disrupt the elections. According to him, "Anyone who thinks Netanyahu, Smotrich, and Ben Gvir intend to give up the elections or accept the election results because they understand what democracy is – does not understand who we are dealing with." Golan rules out any possibility of a unity government with Likud, even without Netanyahu, and states that Netanyahu's partners (Israel Katz, Dudi Amsalem, Miri Regev) are no less responsible for the failures. He rules out cooperation with the ultra-Orthodox parties but clarifies that he does not reject the ultra-Orthodox public itself. In contrast, he supports including an Arab party in the coalition, citing Mansour Abbas as a legitimate partner. Golan assesses that Gadi Eisenkot is the most likely candidate for prime minister, but clarifies that the Democrats' recommendation is not guaranteed to anyone. He aims for portfolios in defense, internal security, education, justice, and communications in the next government, defining the Democrats as the "ideological backbone" of any future coalition.