'Netanyahu Lost': Yair Golan Urges Unity with Arab Parties for 'Government of Change'
Democratic leader Yair Golan urges a government of change in Israel, calling for a partnership with Arab parties to oust Netanyahu.
As Israel's election results remain in a tense state of flux, Democratic leader Yair Golan has made a bold call for political unity, urging the opposition to partner with Arab parties to form a "government of change." With no single bloc holding a clear majority, Golan argues that the path to replacing Benjamin Netanyahu lies in overcoming deep-seated fear and racism within the Israeli political landscape.
The Numbers Game: 'I Know How to Count'
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Golan asserted that the mathematical reality of the polls points toward a victory for the opposition if they are willing to collaborate. He explicitly challenged the current standing of the Prime Minister, stating bluntly, "Netanyahu lost. I know how to count to 120. 65 is more than 55. That's how Israeli democracy works. Period."
Golan outlined his calculation of the power dynamics in the Knesset, claiming a distinct advantage for the "Change bloc":
- Israeli Majority: 65 seats for the Change bloc versus 55 for Netanyahu.
- Zionist Majority: 49 seats for the Change bloc versus 39 for the opposition.
A Plea to End Racism and Division
The Democratic leader emphasized that the future of the country depends on the ability of Jewish and Arab citizens to be viewed as equals in the democratic process. He criticized the "racist division" promoted by Netanyahu, arguing that a vote cast in Taybeh is exactly as valuable as one cast in Givat Shmuel.
"The picture of reality must teach us one resounding lesson: We have no future here if we don't stop being afraid. And if we don't stop with the racism," Golan declared.
He further warned that any political leader attempting to ignore or erase the voices of Arab citizens is essentially surrendering to Netanyahu and abandoning the interests of Israel.
Challenging the 'Zionist' Narrative
Golan also launched a sharp critique of Netanyahu's coalition, specifically targeting the presence of ultra-Orthodox Haredi parties. He pointed out the hypocrisy of claiming a "Zionist majority" while including 16 Knesset members from non-Zionist Haredi parties who, he claims, promote mass draft evasion while other Israeli children fight and die in conflict.
He challenged Netanyahu to subtract those 16 members from his own count if he insists on a strictly Zionist tally, asserting that these parties have no right to "preach to us about Zionism."
The Current State of the Race
While Golan pushes for an immediate shift in leadership, the official count is still underway, making this a high-stakes race to the finish line. According to data from the Times of Israel, approximately 72.4 per cent of ballot boxes have been processed.
Partial results from the Central Elections Committee show a tight contest:
- Pro-Netanyahu Bloc: 54 seats.
- Eisenkot-led Bloc: 48 seats.
- Arab Parties: 18 seats (including a gain of two for Mansour Abbas's Ra’am).
Meanwhile, several parties currently remain below the 3.25 per cent threshold required to enter the Knesset, including the Reservists (2.7 per cent), People of Israel (1.7 per cent), and Charedi Public (0.2 per cent).
Golan concluded his appeal by calling for courage and leadership, demanding a government that serves all citizens of Israel: "A government of change now!"