** Yaïr Golan: Between reflections on the present of Israel and political tensions **
On May 20, 2025, Yaïr Golan, former number two of the Israeli army and current head of the Labor Party, aroused strong controversy by declaring that a “healthy country does not have Hobby to kill babies”. These words, pronounced on a public radio, quickly became the center of a passionate debate in Israel. The reactions were quick, especially from the figures of the Israeli right which qualified Golan as anti -Semitic. It was also threatened with military sanctions, including a ban on carrying the uniform.
This situation underlines a palpable tension within Israeli society, where speeches on war, morality and national identity take a particularly delicate turn.
### a significant military past
Yaïr Golan, who served 38 years under the Israeli flag, is a career soldier who is positioning himself today in the political spectrum as a defender of the values of peace and democracy. His declaration is not the fruit of any radical ideology, but rather the reflection of a deep commitment to an Israel which combines security and ethics. As Frédéric Enlord, geopolitologist, Golan is not a left extremist indicates; He is a Zionist who defends the idea of lasting peace through a solution to two states, a principle that he sees threatened by the current evolution of Israeli politics.
### The reaction of the government and the right
The accusations of antisemitism and betrayal launched against Golan highlight a disturbing tendency to political polarization in Israel. For several years, part of the Israeli right has been radicalized, which has made public dialogue often conflictual and not very conducive to the ideas that call into question the policy of the government in place.
Benjamin Netanyahu and other members of his government reacted with potentially heavy disciplinary measures against Golan, illustrating a decline in constructive debate in favor of a stigmatization of dissent. Such an approach raises questions about the state of Israeli democracy and tolerance towards divergent opinions, which are essential in any democratic society.
### A troubled historical context
The current situation is also a reminder of the complex history of Israel. Yitzhak Rabin, an emblematic figure of the Labor Party and ardent defender of a peace through the Oslo agreements, was assassinated in 1995 by an extremist, illustrating the dangers of a rhetoric which leaves no room for the nuance. As some analysts indicate, the brutalization of political discourse in Israel could be seen as a phenomenon triggered by tragic events like this, where democratic fiber and the search for consensus have been put to the test.
### Reflections on the future
Through his calls for collective introspection on how Israel is perceived and interacts with the world, Yaïr Golan raises essential questions. Could his plea for a return to the values of peace and compassion could serve as a catalyst for a review of the country’s political priorities? Is there a possibility of unity within the Israeli political spectrum, thus making it possible to restore a constructive dialogue without falling into the traps of sectarianism?
The criticisms that rise against the current conduct of the government, and the reflections of figures as Golan, must be heard not as attacks, but as contributions necessary for a debate on the direction that Israel wishes to take. At the heart of these discussions is the question of Israeli identity: a nation injured by history, but aspiring to peace or a nation that closes on itself in response to perceived threats?
### Conclusion
The exchange around Yaïr Golan’s statements, and the reactions they arouse, highlight fractures and opportunities in current Israeli society. By reflecting on these questions, it is crucial to preserve a space for constructive dialogue, as a means of navigating through the complexities of politics and morality in times of crisis. The challenge that arises before Israel today is not only to defend its existence, but also to maintain the values that found this same existence.