Dim Amor

The chair of "The Democrats" party and former Deputy Chief of Staff, Yair Golan, has launched a sharp attack against the Netanyahu government, accusing it of leading Israel toward a security catastrophe in Judea and Samaria. While his supporters view him as a voice of reason breaking through intellectual stagnation, his critics are quick to remind him that during his own tenure in the security establishment, the prevailing perceptions were drastically different.

On the social network X, Golan published a searing statement aimed at shaking up public discourse. According to him, the emerging security reality in Judea and Samaria is not a matter of fate, but a direct result of a "blind concept" and a policy of "conflict management", which he identifies as the primary driver behind the October 7 failure.

"What is happening in Judea and Samaria is the same abandonment that brought about October 7", Golan wrote. He leveled harsh accusations at Prime Minister Netanyahu, claiming that the current government is allowing terrorist infrastructure in Judea and Samaria to strengthen under Iranian sponsorship, while actively weakening any moderate Palestinian elements that could serve as a counterweight to terror. Golan summarized his stance: "This government is an existential threat. As long as it remains in power, there will be no security here".

Golan’s Framework: A Way Out or a Dangerous Illusion?

The plan presented by Golan establishes a clear dividing line between his worldview and that of the right-wing government:

• Security Enforcement: A pledge to use an "iron fist" against all terrorist elements, both Palestinian and Jewish.

• The Diplomatic Arena: Halting annexation measures and empowering moderate Palestinian elements as a buffer against terror.

• Regional Strategy: Building a coalition with moderate Arab states to isolate Iran and dismantle Hamas's rule.

Conversely, Golan's remarks have reignited stinging criticism regarding his own past. Figures on the right remind the public that Golan himself was part of the security establishment for years, arguing that the approach he now proposes, empowering Palestinian actors, is the very one that led to past failed experiments, which ultimately resulted in the escalation of terrorism. "It is easy to attack from the opposition when you don't bear the weight of responsibility", government sources stated. "The attempt to portray Netanyahu as someone endangering the state is a transparent ploy for headlines, ignoring the fact that Golan’s alternative has already been tested and failed in the past".

While Golan presents himself as the person who will "restore Israel's security initiative", his political rivals dismiss these claims as empty slogans. His critics argue that Golan ignores the complexities of the Middle East, preferring to cling to political theories that have been eroded by the test of reality.

Regardless, Golan's words sharpen the central question facing Israeli society: Does the path to security lie in a dramatic shift in the political perception of Judea and Samaria, or is the attempt to "empower moderate elements" a dangerous strategic error that could lead Israel into an even deeper abyss? It appears the battle over this narrative has only just begun.

Photo: Knesset Website | Used in accordance with Section 27a of the Copyright Law.