Netanyahu prolonging war to cling to power: Former Israeli general
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Former Israeli general Yair Golan accuses Netanyahu of sabotaging captive negotiations and prolonging the Gaza war for political survival, citing a New York Times investigation.
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Former Israeli general Yair Golan accuses Netanyahu of sabotaging hostage negotiations and prolonging the Gaza war for political survival, citing a New York Times investigation.
Former Israeli Deputy Chief of Staff and head of the so-called Democrats party, Yair Golan, has launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of prolonging the war on Gaza for political survival and sabotaging efforts to secure a captive deal.
In a statement posted on X, Golan wrote: "Netanyahu, Smotrich, and Ben Gvir are sabotaging the deal time and again," referring to ongoing negotiations over a captive-detainee exchange. He accused the far-right leadership of prioritizing their political positions over the lives of soldiers and captives, saying, "The lives of soldiers and captives mean nothing to them compared to keeping their positions."
תחקיר הניו יורק טיימס רק מחזק את מה שכבר ידוע לכולם:
— Yair Golan - יאיר גולן (@YairGolan1) July 12, 2025
נתניהו, סמוטריץ’ ובן גביר מונעים עסקה כדי לשרוד פוליטית.
חיי חטופים וחיילים פחות חשובים להם מהכיסא.
הם מיעוט קיצוני שגורר מדינה שלמה לתהום. הם שוב מפילים את העסקה. כדי להציל חיים ואת המדינה, צריך להפיל את הממשלה.
זו אזעקת… pic.twitter.com/2MK9bxT6gK
Golan called for the removal of the current government, warning that a "radical minority" was leading the state "into the abyss" and obstructing any path to an agreement that could end the war and save lives. He then described the leadership's behavior as a betrayal of both the army and the public, stating that, "To rescue lives and the country, this government must be brought down."
Netanyahu prolonged war on Gaza for political survival: NYT investigation
Golan’s criticism echoes findings from a recent New York Times investigation, which alleges that Netanyahu deliberately prolonged the war on Gaza to secure his political future.
According to the report, Netanyahu rejected a deal that would have freed 30 Israeli captives, fearing that far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich would withdraw support and collapse the government.
The six-month investigation, based on interviews with over 110 officials and a review of internal documents, revealed that Netanyahu repeatedly deflected blame for the October 7 attack and took steps to manipulate official records. His refusal to agree to ceasefire terms was described as a calculated effort to maintain political relevance, despite growing public and international pressure.
In response to the New York Times report and Golan’s remarks, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office dismissed the claims as an attempt to "distort the image of Israel, its army, and its leadership," according to The Times of Israel.
Yair Golan echoes Olmert’s criticism of Israeli government
It is worth highlighting that tensions between Netanyahu’s government and dissenting former officials have intensified in recent months. Israeli Security Minister Yoav Gallant previously banned Golan from reserve military service and revoked his privileges after Golan publicly accused "Israel" of targeting civilians and killing children in Gaza.
Additionally, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has consistently criticized Netanyahu’s leadership, describing the war on Gaza as a “crime” and warning that Netanyahu is prioritizing personal political survival over national interest.
In an interview with AFP, Olmert urged the United States to intervene, stating, "This is something that should be condemned and not accepted."
Olmert has also criticized Israeli settlements in the West Bank, warning, "If the Israeli government fails to understand that these militias are our most dangerous enemy… they won’t hesitate to shoot us too."
