Following national outrage over Yair Golan’s assertion that Israel is killing babies in Gaza “as a hobby,” it’s worth asking: How will the backlash affect not only Golan’s electoral prospects, but also those of his fellow opposition lawmakers—and even Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu?
I explored this in my Shabbat column for Yedioth Ahronoth, an extract of which is below.
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A comprehensive study recently presented to Yair Lapid, leader of Israel’s Yesh Atid party, reached a troubling conclusion: Lapid is perceived to be significantly further left than when he began his political career—and, more critically, far left of where about 1.5 million centrist voters currently stand. Several factors have contributed to this shifting perception. For instance, during the opposition’s first year, the absence of an active left-wing voice—given the Labor party’s consistent polling below the electoral threshold—pushed Lapid leftward—albeit unwillingly. The crowded political field to his right, featuring Avigdor Lieberman and Naftali Bennett, also exacerbated this shift.
In response, Lapid has begun diligently repositioning himself toward the political center. He published an oped explicitly distancing himself from Israel’s Zionist left, following up with strategic briefings for party leadership. Yet, ironically, the most significant boost to Lapid’s centrist credentials came unintentionally—from a single controversial statement by leader of The Democrats party, Yair Golan.
Golan’s inflammatory remark, suggesting Israel commits atrocities against infants in Gaza, starkly highlighted the ideological gap between the two Yairs, simplifying the distinction for voters. This statement, and the subsequent swift backlash from Golan’s supposed allies, emphasizes the crucial difference between the two camps competing in the upcoming election: one is a chaotic but unified tribe led by Netanyahu, while the other resembles a fragmented group, often undermining each other—a collection of parties lacking strategic or tactical unity. Although this doesn’t entirely prevent electoral success, as demonstrated by the 2021 campaign leading to the Lapid-Bennett government, it certainly complicates matters significantly.
Golan’s remarks also clarified an essential, often-overlooked point: Netanyahu’s true electoral opponent isn’t Yair Lapid, but Yair Golan—not as a viable candidate for prime minister but as a symbol mobilizing conservative voters, including those weary of Likud. Netanyahu will capitalize on Golan’s controversial statements about religious-nationalist groups and the Israeli military to rally his base back into the fold.
Thus, much of the conservative campaign will revolve around Yair Golan. Naftali Bennett, another key opposition figure, faces a tough dilemma: is Golan an acceptable political partner and potential cabinet member? A negative response risks alienating the opposition; a positive answer could cost Bennett crucial right-wing votes. Moreover, given Bennett’s past record of breaking election promises, voters may question the reliability of his promises this time round. Ultimately, the forthcoming election may evolve into something of a referendum on Golan himself.
