From the Liveblog of
Monday, November 11, 2024
Democrats chair Yair Golan says government run like a ‘criminal organization’
Sam Sokol is the Times of Israel's political correspondent. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"
Israel’s government is run like a “criminal organization,” Yair Golan, chairman of The Democrats, tells reporters in the Knesset during his party’s weekly faction meeting.
In recent weeks, Netanyahu’s aides in the Prime Minister’s Office have faced accusations including mishandling and leaking classified documents to the press, editing meeting transcripts, and blackmailing a senior military officer. He has said the allegations amounted to “a wild and unbridled attack.”
“Alongside the criminal organization led by the prime minister, yesterday we were exposed to another criminal organization,” Golan continues, stating that “we saw how a violent and extremist populist runs the Israel Police. How he cheaply manipulates the prime minister while putting the citizens of Israel at risk. How he is motivated solely by media considerations and likes.”
On Sunday evening, Channel 13 aired an investigative report detailing National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir’s alleged violations of the law in his activities as minister, after a legal push by the far-right leader to bar it from publication was rejected.
“Ben Gvir and Netanyahu are dangerous to Israel’s security. This government does not want to win the war, it does not want to release hostages; its whole purpose is personal survival and the realization of a Kahanist and fanatical vision,” Golan charges.
