Yair Golan vows to replace Netanyahu, backs coalition with Arab party Ra'am - interview

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government has turned Israel into a "liability" for the United States' diplomatic efforts in the Middle East, Democrats party leader Yair Golan told The Jerusalem Post in a recent interview, adding that his party would do “everything possible” to replace the premier.

Golan told the Post that the government "burned bridges" with both Democrats and Republicans in Washington, leaving Israel "outside the room" for negotiations on agreements crucial to the country's security. 

"This government has burned bridges with Democrats and Republicans in the United States, and even Trump is now making decisions and striking deals on Gaza, Lebanon and Iran without Israel at the table," Golan said.

“When the American president seeks to shape the Middle East and negotiate agreements while Israel is left outside the room, it is evidence of how this government has turned a strategic asset into an international liability."

Golan made the remarks in a written response to a range of questions from the Post, arguing that the Arab party Ra'am should be included in the next coalition. 

He also outlined his party's positions on Palestinian statehood, coalition red lines, and the policies it would seek to implement in the next government.

The left-wing party is one of the major factions in the opposition bloc seeking to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the October 27 elections.

Recent polling shows the Democrats receiving approximately nine seats. The party was formed through a merger between the Labor and Meretz parties. Golan previously served as IDF deputy chief of staff and an MK for the far-left Meretz party.

Sharply criticizing Netanyahu and his far-right coalition partners, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Golan stated that they had destroyed Israel’s relationship with the US. “Netanyahu, Smotrich and Ben-Gvir have turned Israel from America’s principal regional ally into an obstacle to regional progress.”

The Democrats are the only party in the opposition to openly support the inclusion of Arab parties, namely Ra'am, in a potential coalition.  

This position clashes with the party's potential coalition partners, some of which hold a hard-line stance against such a move following October 7.

When asked whether the opposition bloc would sit with the Arab parties and if this would cause division, Golan said that his party would do all it could to replace Netanyahu.

"The gravity of this moment is clear to everyone. I can assure you that the Democrats will do everything possible to establish an alternative government," he said.

"I cannot speak on behalf of the other leaders in the opposition bloc. That is precisely why it is so important to strengthen the Democrats if we want to ensure meaningful change," Golan added.

When asked if a coalition with the Arab parties was viable after October 7, Golan said that "over 20% of Israeli citizens are Arabs. Excluding them from participating in government just on the basis of their national or ethnic identity is unacceptable."

"In the previous government, in which all the current opposition party heads served, [Ra’am party leader] Mansour Abbas was an excellent political partner."

"I therefore see no reason why we should rule out working with him again, based on an agreed policy platform, as part of an effort to build a coalition and replace the current government."

Golan did not say whether the Joint List, which includes the other three major Arab parties, Hadash, Ta’al, and Balad, should be a coalition partner.

Regarding other coalition red lines, Golan responded about sitting in coalition with the haredi (ultra-Orthodox) parties that "I have stated this before, and I stand by it: the parties that were part of the government responsible for the failures of 7 October should not be part of the future coalition we seek to build."

When asked how the Democrats would integrate haredim into broader Israeli society, Golan said, "sharing the burden is... an urgent national necessity."

Elaborating on his party's plans, Golan said that every citizen would "undergo a state-administered assessment process and be assigned to military or civilian service, with the IDF’s manpower needs taking priority."

"We will end benefits for those who evade service and redirect government incentives away from non-enlistment and towards service," Golan pledged, adding that the party would promote reforms to the state education system for the haredi sector.

Beyond his plans for the sector, the Democrats' chief stressed that the party would demand the Education Ministry portfolio in the next government. "There are many urgent and consequential challenges in education, and reform in this area must be a national priority,” he said.

The Democrats' predecessors have historically supported a two-state solution, although Golan has in the past called for a more nuanced solution following October 7.

Regarding the party's current stance on a Palestinian state, Golan said, "The illusion of ‘managing’ the conflict or ‘shrinking’ it cannot continue."

“We must work actively to end the conflict, as part of a comprehensive regional agreement that guarantees Israel’s security and enables separation from the Palestinians," he said.

When asked who would be in charge of a Palestinian state, and how it would be governed, Golan said that “separation from the Palestinians requires leadership on their side that we can work with, no compromise on our security, and international support.”

Outlining the stages Israel must take, Golan stated that first it is necessary to “restore Israel’s place among the moderate powers in the region and renew our strategic alliances with the US and European countries.”

“Second, we must ensure that Hamas is dismantled as a governing force and prevented from rebuilding its tunnel network or preparing another massacre.”

“Third, we must combat terrorism in all its forms, including Jewish terrorism in the West Bank,” he added.

In its party platform, the Democrats argue against annexation of the West Bank. Golan underscored this policy, condemning the rise of Jewish settler violence in the area, and urged to work against it.

“We will work to halt annexation efforts to preserve Israel as a Jewish and democratic state... illegal outposts and farms violate the law, drain budgets and are a security liability."

"Restoring law and order in the West Bank is an urgent priority, so we will adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism, whether Jewish or Palestinian," the former IDF deputy chief added, further calling to strengthen security coordination with the Palestinian Authority.

Golan has been a fierce critic of Netanyahu's military approach following October 7, calling for the government to seek out diplomatic solutions over repeated rounds of fighting with its adversaries.

Speaking on addressing Israel’s multiple fronts, Golan argued that diplomatic agreements are "essential" in achieving lasting security, stressing that his party will pursue policies that "combine military resolve with diplomatic initiative."

He sharply criticized the approach of Netanayhu's government, stating that it has pursued “a policy of putting out fires rather than taking the initiative, international isolation rather than building diplomatic alliances, and endless war rather than long-term security."

Despite that, Golan pointed at Lebanon as an "opportunity for significant change," hailing President Joseph Aoun as the "most promising leader for a generation." Golan called on the international community to support Aoun's government in preventing Iranian weapons smuggling to Hezbollah and driving the terrorist organization away from Israel's northern border.

The party has also placed significant importance on the separation of religion and state.

While Golan has asserted that he wants to keep Israel a "Jewish and democratic state," he has also stressed the importance of allowing citizens to live "according to their own beliefs."

Golan said the Democrats want “a country that respects Jewish tradition as a source of identity, culture, and belonging, but never uses it as a tool of coercion," while guaranteeing "freedom of religion and freedom from religion."

The party leader called for concrete reforms to make this a reality, including recognition of all streams of Judaism and civil marriage, along with an "end to the Chief Rabbinate's monopoly over conversion and kashrut certification."

He also called for public transportation to be available on Shabbat and "an end to religious coercion within the IDF."

Regarding the party's "day-one" plans for the next government, Golan said that it is "unacceptable” that a state commission of inquiry into October 7 failures has not yet been established.

"We should also legislate term limits for prime ministers, and amend the current legislation to explicitly state that those facing criminal charges cannot be prime minister," he said.

Golan also said he would act to repeal all laws passed by the sitting government as part of its judicial reform, calling for a "longer process of constitutional reform that strengthens our democratic institutions, with the Declaration of Independence at its heart."