Yair Golan: ‘If we win 15 seats, I’ll be defense minister’

Democrats chairman Yair Golan stated that if his party secures 15 seats in the upcoming election, he expects to serve as defense minister, also targeting ministries like justice, education, communications, and public security. Speaking at the National Security Conference, Golan identified former IDF chief Gadi Eisenkot as the leading opposition candidate for prime minister, emphasizing that the largest party in the bloc should lead the next government. He criticized the handling of the war against Iran, stating, "This war was badly managed," and called for a stricter nuclear agreement and a diplomatic initiative to stop Iran's military nuclear program. Golan also advocated for establishing an alternative Palestinian governing entity in Gaza to replace Hamas and proposed steps toward separation from the Palestinians to maintain Israel's Jewish and democratic character. He further criticized Shin Bet chief David Zini's performance, asserting, "I did not think Zini should be Shin Bet chief, and so far reality shows that he should not have been Shin Bet chief."