TV report accuses Likud minister Golan of nepotism, illegal fundraising, other crimes
Opposition calls for May Golan to be suspended after Channel 12 probe alleges illegal practices in office of firebrand former anti-migrant activist; police said ready to investigate

Opposition lawmakers on Monday called for authorities to probe Social Equality Minister May Golan after an investigative report claimed there was widespread nepotism in her office and she had carried out dubious fundraising for a nonprofit organization she set up in the past.
Reports Monday said the police planned on contacting the Attorney General’s Office to request that it approve an initial check into Golan’s allegedly criminal financial activities. A spokesman for the attorney general told The Times of Israel that the police had not yet reached out, and that the office would deal with any such request when the time comes.
Golan, a right-wing firebrand who first gained public attention when she campaigned against the housing of illegal migrants in her home neighborhood of south Tel Aviv, denied the accusations.
According to the report aired by Channel 12 news Sunday night, Golan hired a string of people in her office who were relatives of associates or influential colleagues, some of who did no actual work.
Those included the wife of a long-time legal adviser, who runs a dog grooming business but was also listed as a salaried employee of Golan’s office. The attorney himself had been paid thousands of shekels to prepare legal documents that were never filed.
In another example, the report named a strategic adviser who received NIS 250,00 ($68,600) for work done on behalf of Golan. The daughter of the adviser’s romantic partner was given a job in Golan’s office, where she works remotely as a “coordinator” and reportedly has never actually turned up at the office.
The wife of a real estate developer who, the report, suggested, may have made a donation to a nonprofit set up by Golan before becoming an MK, was weeks later appointed as acting director-general of Golan’s office. Her term was extended three times by then-civil service commissioner Daniel Hershkowitz, whose grandson was employed by Golan’s office for social media activities — a role he may have continued to fulfill even after being drafted into the army, against regulations.

The investigation also found irregularities regarding Golan’s nonprofit organization, the Hebrew City, which campaigned against migrants.
According to the report, from the time Golan became a Likud lawmaker in 2019, it was prohibited for her to be involved in the nonprofit where she had been a board member.
However, she has continued to arrange tours of south Tel Aviv including one two years ago for representatives of the Taiwanese embassy. Golan is head of the Israel-Taiwan lobby in the Knesset. The tour reportedly looked at activities to help the needy in that Tel Aviv neighborhood.
Later, the Hebrew City asked the embassy for a donation of $78,000, and another of $20,000, the report said. The money was transferred, but it is not clear what it was used for as the nonprofit has not submitted financial reports for three years, the report said.
The TV report also accused Golan of using parliamentary aides for personal tasks in contravention of Knesset protocol. The report said aides were sent to drive her mother around, buy her food, collect packages, and distribute gifts to her friends.
In a response to the report, Golan, who was appointed social equality minister in January 2024, said in a statement that since being elected to the Knesset she has not had a role in the nonprofit and did not raise funds, although she conceded that “she acted to raise awareness of the situation in south Tel Aviv” by arranging tours and advocacy.

As for the employment of the acting director-general and the coordinator working remotely, the statement said they were hired in the framework of so-called trusted advisers, over which ministers have a broader scope in taking on.
Regarding the employment of Hershkowitz’s grandson, the statement called any suggestion of a link to the position of the civil service commissioner “wicked and a lie.”
Hershkowitz said in a statement to Channel 12 that he notified the legal office at the commission about his grandson taking a position in the minister’s office, “and they prepared a transparent and clear conflict of interest arrangement.”
His grandson, Harel, denied working for Golan while serving in the army and the IDF also said it was not aware of any such arrangement.
Others named in the report also denied any wrongdoing.
Hebrew media reported Monday that police were considering asking the Attorney General’s Office to probe the allegations. A spokesman for the attorney general told The Times of Israel that the police have not yet reached out to their office regarding a potential investigation, and they would weigh the possibility when the time comes.
The report sparked widespread calls from opposition lawmakers for a probe into Golan.
Yesh Atid faction chair MK Merav Ben-Ari, the opposition whip, called Golan “a lying woman” who “embezzles public funds,” in a post on X.
Instead of setting an example, “she is a resounding failure in every area she is trusted with,” Ben-Ari wrote, vowing to look into the accusations as well as seek legal advice on the matter.
“That woman is not fitting to sit for another day in public service,” she said.

The Democrats Party led by Yair Golan — no relation — wrote that Golan’s Likud party “is rotten from head to toe” and called for an immediate criminal investigation into Golan.
Party member MK Naama Lazimi sent a letter to the attorney general asking that Golan be suspended pending an investigation.
The Bonot Alternativa women’s empowerment group called on Golan, who is also minister for the advancement of the status of women, to resign, saying in a statement that “women across the country were shamed this evening when they say how someone who pretends to be a minister for the advancement of our status treats with disdain the role she is supposed to fill with sacred reverence.”