Netanyahu must not be allowed to lead Israel through another Iran war, Golan says

Since the elections, Golan has been outspoken about his desire to participate in a government that includes the Arab parties.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not have the public's trust and should not be permitted to lead the country through another war with Iran, Democrats party leader Yair Golan said in a social media post on Sunday morning.

"Gadi Eisenkot, Avigdor Lieberman, Naftali Bennett, Yair Lapid, and I know the security system very well," Golan wrote, referring to the other opposition bloc leaders. "We have experience, ability, and deep familiarity with the system. We are committed to working together for Israel's security."

"Israel's security must not be allowed to become a tool in Netanyahu's political survival struggle," Golan concluded. "Therefore, establishing an alternative government as soon as possible is critical; Israel's security and its citizens are on the line."

Golan has been outspoken since the elections about his desire to participate in a government that includes the Arab parties.

On Wednesday morning, Golan called for Israel's opposition to form a government with the resurgent Arab parties in the next Knesset, arguing that Netanyahu lost the 2026 election with some 55 seats, compared to the opposition's 65.

"Netanyahu lost. I know how to count to 120. Sixty-five is more than 55. That's how Israeli democracy works. Period," the former IDF deputy chief of staff wrote on social media, including the Arab parties in his coalition calculations.

"We have no future here if we don't stop being afraid...We must no longer accept Netanyahu's racist division between Jewish votes and Arab votes," Golan added. "The voice of an Israeli citizen voting in Taybeh is worth exactly as much as the voice of an Israeli citizen voting in Givat Shmuel."

Yisrael Beytenu’s Liberman cuts contact with allies

Liberman, despite claiming he would not sit with either the Arab parties or Netanyahu in a coalition, has yet to publicly enter negotiations with opposition bloc leaders or anyone else. 

According to an N12 News report on Wednesday, in the aftermath of Tuesday’s election, Liberman allegedly moved to cut ties with the opposition bloc in favor of pushing for a unity government. 

N12 reported that Liberman cut contact with former prime minister and B’Yachad head Naftali Bennett and Yashar party head Gadi Eisenkot, and has not answered any phone calls from his opposition counterparts.