Yair Golan: Arab-Jewish Government Partnership Is a Positive Thing

Yair Golan stated in a holiday-end interview that he views Arab-Jewish partnership in the government as a positive development. With these remarks, Golan once again signaled toward Mansour Abbas's Ra'am party, clarifying that the goal of the left-wing bloc is to include them as part of the coalition.

Golan remarked: "The day after these elections conclude, we will face a very, very simple dilemma—which in my eyes is not a difficult dilemma: Are we establishing a government of repair and reconstruction?" At this point, Golan was interrupted and asked, "With Ra'am?" and replied, "Yes! With Ra'am! Arab-Jewish partnership in the government is a positive thing."

His bloc partner, Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Lieberman, responded: "I reiterate: No coalition will be established with the Arab parties. Yair Golan is apparently under pressure from his party members and some of his voters following the vote in favor of disqualifying Balad chairman Sami Abu Shehadeh. He lost support on the Arab street, and now, in a desperate attempt to win back voters, he is spreading false statements.

The Likud party stated: "Yair Golan is revealing the truth tonight. He and his partner Eisenkot will establish a left-wing government with the Arab parties. This is what the elections are about: It's either the Right or Palestine—only Likud will prevent the establishment of a left-Arab government led by Eisenkot, Golan, Lieberman, Bennett, and the Arab parties."

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich also responded to Golan's remarks: "Yair Golan is once again voicing what his partners Eisenkot and Lieberman are trying to hide in every possible way. Together, the three of them will establish a dangerous government in partnership with the Arab parties. A government that will continue the tyranny of the judicial system, evacuate the settlements and farms we established, and harm the Jewish identity of the State of Israel."