From the Liveblog of
Sunday, September 21, 2025
Peace orgs, Arab lawmakers fume after Yair Golan says recognizing Palestinian statehood ‘destructive’ to Israel
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleAriela Karmel is a political correspondent at The Times of Israel. She previously reported for Calcalist and Haaretz. She holds an MA in Middle Eastern and African History from Tel Aviv University and a BA in Political Science from the University of British Columbia.
Arab parties and peace organizations condemn Democrats chairman Yair Golan after he calls recognition of a Palestinian state “destructive” and “extremely damaging” to Israel, ahead of the vote to recognize a Palestinian state at the UN tomorrow.
Arab-Jewish left-wing party Hadash says the Democrats “have become Likud prior to its partnership with Kahanists” and insists that peace and shared prosperity can only come through the establishment of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel.
“I have great respect for Yair Golan on many of his positions, but on this issue I am in complete disagreement,” says Hadash-Ta’al chairman Ayman Odeh. “Why ‘separation’ and not a peace agreement? Another unilateral disengagement? The only way is full recognition of the national rights of both peoples, including their right to self-determination.”
Hadash MK Aida Touma-Sliman says Golan’s remarks show “there is no ‘left’ left in the Knesset beyond Hadash. Precisely when many of Golan’s own supporters back the establishment of a Palestinian state and the advancement of peace, he himself lacks the vision and leadership to clearly declare the only path to end occupation, oppression, and destruction.”
Golan’s comments “illustrate exactly the root of the problem: denial of the Palestinian people’s right to independence and freedom does not bring security – it deepens the conflict,” says Peace Partnership, a coalition of Israeli and Palestinian groups.
The Times of Israel Community.