Exclusive: Opposition Leader Yair Golan Warns Netanyahu Could Restart War With Iran To Disrupt Israeli Elections

There are few politicians in Israel who are as divisive as Prime Minister Netanyahu. Yair Golan, the leader of the left-wing Democrats, is one of them. The 64-year-old has precipitated deep rifts inside Israel over the years for his remarks about the Israel Defense Forces, where he was once the deputy chief of staff. Likening Israel to Nazi Germany and suggesting Israel is killing babies “as a hobby” are among Mr. Golan’s comments that drew harsh condemnations from allies and enemies alike. Mr. Golan has since backtracked from those remarks, and today he is seen by many in Israel as the only mainstream politician who is willing to give peace with the Palestinians a chance. He is also widely considered a war hero for helping save Israeli civilians from the massacre at the Nova Music festival site on October 7, as well as for his 38 years of service in the IDF. Since merging the old Labor and Meretz parties in 2024 to form the Democrats, Mr. Golan has revived a left-wing that was nearly dead prior to October 7, with polls projecting his party to receive between eight and 12 seats. Mr. Golan reportedly sees himself as a possible defense minister, and his party is bound to get significant influence in a new government should the opposition manage to win the election on October 7. Most polls have consistently shown that neither Mr. Netanyahu’s bloc nor the opposition are even close to receiving enough mandates to form a majority government, making the Arab parties the kingmakers. Mr. Golan is the only Jewish party leader today who openly calls for a government with Arab parties included, to the great dismay of his colleagues in the opposition. In an interview with New York Sun, Mr. Golan explained why he is worried that Mr. Netanyahu might launch a war with Iran to disrupt the upcoming elections, what a new government would do in its first 100 days in power, and why he doesn’t think a two-state solution is dead. The Sun: You’ve warned that Mr. Netanyahu could attempt to disrupt the democratic process, even comparing the situation to January 6 in the United States. What concrete evidence do you have that Netanyahu is preparing something like this, or are you speculating about his intentions? Are you suggesting that Netanyahu might refuse to accept an election defeat and encourage his supporters to challenge the result? “Netanyahu is more desperate than ever, and that makes him more dangerous than ever. We have seen him try to undermine the integrity of elections in the past, including the camera scandal involving polling stations in Arab communities in 2019. We don’t need to speculate about his intentions this time. In recent days, we have seen him raise the prospect of renewed military escalation with Iran and attempt to persuade President Trump to launch another military strike. Why now, at this particular moment? It is a legitimate question that Israelis should be asking.We must remain vigilant and ensure that the democratic process is protected, whatever the outcome of the election.”The Sun: If your bloc wins the election and forms the next government, would you be prepared to launch another war against Iran if its nuclear program or military activities threatened Israel? Or should Israelis understand your criticism of Ayatollah Khamenei’s killing as a sign that your government would pursue a fundamentally less confrontational policy towards Tehran?“It is important to be precise about my remarks regarding the killing of Ali Khamenei. My criticism was not directed at the operation itself, but at what followed — or, more accurately, what failed to follow. The government did not take meaningful steps to turn a tactical military achievement into a lasting strategic and diplomatic gain.That is the fundamental problem with Netanyahu’s approach. Our military is capable of achieving impressive results on the battlefield, but when those achievements are not translated into a coherent diplomatic strategy, their potential is squandered.The killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is another example. What did Israel ultimately achieve? A new leadership that is even more radical, no meaningful diplomatic gains, and an Iranian threat that has not been eliminated.Israel must be prepared to defend itself against genuine threats, but military action must serve a clear strategic objective. The question is not simply whether we can strike our enemies, but whether we have a plan for what comes next.”The Sun: What would be your three biggest priorities if you win the election? What concrete changes should Israelis expect during your first 100 days in power?“Firstly, we will establish a state commission of inquiry into the October 7th disaster. The Israeli public deserves answers, accountability, and the truth about the failures that led to the greatest catastrophe in the country’s history.In our first 100 days, we would also work to restore Israel’s security and strategic standing through several key steps:Gaza: Advance the Trump plan and the Mladenov roadmap, establish a viable alternative to Hamas’s rule, and launch reconstructionThe West Bank: Restore law and order, combat Jewish terrorism, and halt annexationLebanon: Work with the Lebanese government to remove Hezbollah as a threat to our northern border, start meaningful negotiations for full normalizationRegional and international alliances: Rebuild our strategic alliance with the United States and forge a regional coalition with moderate Arab states to counter Iran and advance a robust, enforceable agreement that prevents it from acquiring nuclear weapons.Our overarching goal is to move Israel from a policy of perpetual crisis management to a coherent strategy that delivers lasting security and diplomatic achievements.”The Sun: Hamas is pretty adamant about not wanting to give up its weapons. If they still refuse when you form the next government, how will you deal with that issue? Another war? “The Trump plan seeks to remove Hamas as a military threat and from any role in governing Gaza. The longer this government ignores it, Hamas remains in power, remains in control of the vast majority of Gazans, and has a steady income stream of millions of dollars a week from the humanitarian aid it commands. Netanyahu’s government allows this to happen because it still believes that Hamas is an asset and the Palestinian Authority is a liability. We will engage with the Trump plan seriously, ensuring that Israel’s security is guaranteed.”The Sun: You said you favor a Palestinian state but that it isn’t feasible for now. When, then? “Separation from the Palestinians is the only alternative to annexation, which would be a catastrophe. Those who talk of ‘managing’ the conflict rather than seeking to end it are selling the Israeli people a dangerous illusion.I believe that Israelis and Palestinians can reach agreement on this, in coordination with regional partners. It is difficult to set a precise timeline, but we must begin taking concrete steps now. That means, among other things, halting annexation and preventing further entrenchment of the occupation.If we never begin that process, we will never reach our destination. The goal is to build a more secure future for Israel through a realistic diplomatic process, with regional and international support.”The Sun: If the opposition bloc gets to 61 Knesset members with the Arab parties, what role would these parties have in the coalition: cabinet members, or just support from the outside? “These are decisions that we will need to make collectively, as a united political bloc, after the election. Our immediate focus is on building the broadest possible coalition for political change in Israel.”The Sun: How many Knesset seats do your internal polls show for the Democrats? “Our goal is to win double-digit representation in the Knesset, and we believe we have the potential to reach as many as 15 seats under certain electoral scenarios. We are working hard to turn that potential into real support at the ballot box.”The Sun: We’ve already seen major violent clashes between ultra-Orthodox protesters and police over military conscription, and the authorities haven’t even begun enforcing a full-scale draft. Do you genuinely believe it’s realistic to conscript tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox men against their will? And if they continue to resist, are you prepared to use force and potentially arrest thousands of draft dodgers, even if it leads to widespread violence and chaos?“It is simply unacceptable that such a large segment of Israeli society does not share the burden, while another segment is stretched to the breaking point especially when the IDF itself says it faces a shortage of soldiers.This is fundamentally a question of equality and shared responsibility and it goes beyond the issue of ultraorthodox military service. Everyone should contribute to the country, and we should make sure that everyone has the opportunity to do so.”

Exclusive: Opposition Leader Yair Golan Warns Netanyahu Could Restart War With Iran To Disrupt Israeli Elections

Exclusive: Opposition Leader Yair Golan Warns Netanyahu Could Restart War With Iran To Disrupt Israeli Elections

More from the New York Sun

French Nationalist Marine Le Pen Rises From the Ashes of Riots

Republican Group Invests Another $4.7 Million in Michigan Senate Race as El-Sayed and Rogers Contest Narrows

Giorgia Meloni, While Italy’s Left Tries To Exploit Urban Rioting, Emerges as the Adult in the Room

What Excuse Can America’s Politicians Offer for This Year’s $2 Trillion Budget Deficit?

Republican Family Fireworks in ‘Other Desert Cities’ Set Broadway Alight Again

‘How Can French People Do This to France?’

After Russia’s Reprieve From U.S. Sanctions, Trump Administration Tells Europe To Step Up, Quit Playing Both Sides

Netanyahu Offers High Praise to Trump After U.S. President’s Endorsement, Calling Him Greatest Friend Ever to Israel

More from the New York Sun

French Nationalist Marine Le Pen Rises From the Ashes of Riots

Republican Group Invests Another $4.7 Million in Michigan Senate Race as El-Sayed and Rogers Contest Narrows

Giorgia Meloni, While Italy’s Left Tries To Exploit Urban Rioting, Emerges as the Adult in the Room

What Excuse Can America’s Politicians Offer for This Year’s $2 Trillion Budget Deficit?

Republican Family Fireworks in ‘Other Desert Cities’ Set Broadway Alight Again

‘How Can French People Do This to France?’

After Russia’s Reprieve From U.S. Sanctions, Trump Administration Tells Europe To Step Up, Quit Playing Both Sides

Netanyahu Offers High Praise to Trump After U.S. President’s Endorsement, Calling Him Greatest Friend Ever to Israel