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'''Yair Golan''' ([[Hebrew language|Hebrew]]: <span lang="he" dir="rtl">יָאִיר גּוֹלָן</span>; born May 14, 1962) is an [[Politics of Israel|Israeli politician]]. He serves as the Deputy [[Ministry of Economy (Israel)|Minister of Economy]] in the [[Thirty-sixth government of Israel|Thirty-sixth government]],<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Yair Golan |url=https://www.gov.il/en/departments/people/yair-golan |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=GOV.IL |language=en}}</ref> and served as a Member of [[Knesset]] representing [[Meretz]] in 2019-2022.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Former General Yair Golan Formally Joins Meretz, but Doesn't Seek to Unseat Party Leader |language=en |work=Haaretz |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2020-12-07/ty-article/.premium/former-general-golan-formally-joins-meretz-but-doesnt-seek-to-unseat-party-leader/0000017f-e0bd-d38f-a57f-e6ff2d090000 |access-date=2022-12-16}}</ref> He is a reserved [[major general]] in the [[Israel Defense Forces]]. During his military service he served, among other roles, as the [[IDF Deputy Chief of Staff]],<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Gross |first=Judah Ari |title=Aviv Kochavi takes over from Yair Golan as IDF deputy chief |url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/aviv-kochavi-takes-over-from-yair-golan-as-idf-deputy-chief/ |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=www.timesofisrael.com |language=en-US}}</ref> Commander of the [[Home Front Command]] and [[Northern Command (Israel)|Commander of the Northern Command]].<ref name="idf">{{Cite web |title=Major General Yair Golan, GOC Homefront Command |url=http://dover.idf.il/IDF/English/about/staff/Yair-Golan.htm |access-date=28 December 2008 |publisher=Israel Defense Forces}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2016-03-04 |title=אתר צה"ל - צבא ההגנה לישראל |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304034426/http://www.idf.il/1133-12407-he/Dover.aspx |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=web.archive.org}}</ref>
'''Yair Golan''' ([[Hebrew language|Hebrew]]: <span lang="he" dir="rtl">יָאִיר גּוֹלָן</span>; born May 14, 1962) is an [[Politics of Israel|Israeli politician]]. He serves as the Deputy [[Ministry of Economy (Israel)|Minister of Economy]] in the [[Thirty-sixth government of Israel|Thirty-sixth government]],<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Yair Golan |url=https://www.gov.il/en/departments/people/yair-golan |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=GOV.IL |language=en}}</ref> and served as a Member of [[Knesset]] representing [[Meretz]] in 2019-2022.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Former General Yair Golan Formally Joins Meretz, but Doesn't Seek to Unseat Party Leader |language=en |work=Haaretz |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2020-12-07/ty-article/.premium/former-general-golan-formally-joins-meretz-but-doesnt-seek-to-unseat-party-leader/0000017f-e0bd-d38f-a57f-e6ff2d090000 |access-date=2022-12-16}}</ref> He is a reserved [[major general]] in the [[Israel Defense Forces]]. During his military service he served, among other roles, as the [[IDF Deputy Chief of Staff]],<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Gross |first=Judah Ari |title=Aviv Kochavi takes over from Yair Golan as IDF deputy chief |url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/aviv-kochavi-takes-over-from-yair-golan-as-idf-deputy-chief/ |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=www.timesofisrael.com |language=en-US}}</ref> Commander of the [[Home Front Command]] and [[Northern Command (Israel)|Commander of the Northern Command]].<ref name="idf">{{Cite web |title=Major General Yair Golan, GOC Homefront Command |url=http://dover.idf.il/IDF/English/about/staff/Yair-Golan.htm |access-date=28 December 2008 |publisher=Israel Defense Forces}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2016-03-04 |title=אתר צה"ל - צבא ההגנה לישראל |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304034426/http://www.idf.il/1133-12407-he/Dover.aspx |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=web.archive.org}}</ref>


== Early Life and Biography ==
== Early life and biography ==
Golan was born and grew up in [[Rishon LeZion]]. His father, Gershon Goldner, fled with his parents to [[Mandatory Palestine|Palestine]] from [[Nazi Germany]] in 1935.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-10-04 |title=אלוף פיקוד צפון: "נסראללה שם את כל הקלפים על אסד" - וואלה! חדשות |url=https://news.walla.co.il/item/2682933 |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=וואלה! |language=he}}</ref> His father served in the IDF and his last role was a senior technical assistant to the chief [[C4I Corps|communications and electronics]] officer at the rank of [[Israel Defense Forces ranks|lieutenant colonel]] (Sgan Aluf). <ref>{{Cite web |title=⁨הוקמה מםגרת־גג למפעליטלרד" " ⁩ &mdash; ⁨⁨דבר⁩ 3 ספטמבר 1973⁩ &mdash; הספרייה הלאומית של ישראל │ עיתונים |url=https://www.nli.org.il/he/newspapers/dav/1973/09/03/01/article/43 |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=www.nli.org.il |language=he}}</ref> His mother, Rachel, was born in [[Tel Aviv]] <ref>{{Cite web |title=⁨‭..‬נגר"אדי ז י ⁩ &mdash; ⁨⁨הצפה⁩ 12 ינואר 1954⁩ &mdash; הספרייה הלאומית של ישראל │ עיתונים |url=https://www.nli.org.il/he/newspapers/hzh/1954/01/12/01/article/61 |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=www.nli.org.il |language=he}}</ref> In the family of Aryeh Rapoport who immigrated in 1921 from Ukraine <ref>{{Cite web |title=אריה רפופורט |url=https://gen.rlzm.co.il/persons/%d7%90%d7%a8%d7%99%d7%94-%d7%a8%d7%a4%d7%a4%d7%95%d7%a8%d7%98/ |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=gen.rlzm.co.il |language=he-IL}}</ref> and Hana, born in [[Rishon LeZion|Nachelat Yehuda]]. <ref>{{Cite web |title=חנה רפופורט |url=https://gen.rlzm.co.il/persons/%d7%97%d7%a0%d7%94-%d7%a8%d7%a4%d7%a4%d7%95%d7%a8%d7%98/ |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=gen.rlzm.co.il |language=he-IL}}</ref> His elder brother is a professor in the [[University of Haifa]] <ref>{{Cite web |title=גולן ארנון |url=https://gen.rlzm.co.il/persons/%d7%92%d7%95%d7%9c%d7%9f-%d7%90%d7%a8%d7%a0%d7%95%d7%9f/ |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=gen.rlzm.co.il |language=he-IL}}</ref> and his little sister is a [[Special education|special-ed]] teacher in the [[Shamir Medical Center]]. <ref>{{Cite web |title=גולן רוני |url=https://gen.rlzm.co.il/persons/%d7%92%d7%95%d7%9c%d7%9f-%d7%a8%d7%95%d7%a0%d7%99-2/ |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=gen.rlzm.co.il |language=he-IL}}</ref>
Golan was born and grew up in [[Rishon LeZion]]. His father, Gershon Goldner, fled with his parents to [[Mandatory Palestine|Palestine]] from [[Nazi Germany]] in 1935.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-10-04 |title=אלוף פיקוד צפון: "נסראללה שם את כל הקלפים על אסד" - וואלה! חדשות |url=https://news.walla.co.il/item/2682933 |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=וואלה! |language=he}}</ref> His father served in the IDF and his last role was a senior technical assistant to the chief [[C4I Corps|communications and electronics]] officer at the rank of [[Israel Defense Forces ranks|lieutenant colonel]] (Sgan Aluf). <ref>{{Cite web |title=⁨הוקמה מםגרת־גג למפעליטלרד" " ⁩ &mdash; ⁨⁨דבר⁩ 3 ספטמבר 1973⁩ &mdash; הספרייה הלאומית של ישראל │ עיתונים |url=https://www.nli.org.il/he/newspapers/dav/1973/09/03/01/article/43 |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=www.nli.org.il |language=he}}</ref> His mother, Rachel, was born in [[Tel Aviv]] <ref>{{Cite web |title=⁨‭..‬נגר"אדי ז י ⁩ &mdash; ⁨⁨הצפה⁩ 12 ינואר 1954⁩ &mdash; הספרייה הלאומית של ישראל │ עיתונים |url=https://www.nli.org.il/he/newspapers/hzh/1954/01/12/01/article/61 |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=www.nli.org.il |language=he}}</ref> In the family of Aryeh Rapoport who immigrated in 1921 from Ukraine <ref>{{Cite web |title=אריה רפופורט |url=https://gen.rlzm.co.il/persons/%d7%90%d7%a8%d7%99%d7%94-%d7%a8%d7%a4%d7%a4%d7%95%d7%a8%d7%98/ |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=gen.rlzm.co.il |language=he-IL}}</ref> and Hana, born in [[Rishon LeZion|Nachelat Yehuda]]. <ref>{{Cite web |title=חנה רפופורט |url=https://gen.rlzm.co.il/persons/%d7%97%d7%a0%d7%94-%d7%a8%d7%a4%d7%a4%d7%95%d7%a8%d7%98/ |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=gen.rlzm.co.il |language=he-IL}}</ref> His elder brother is a professor in the [[University of Haifa]] <ref>{{Cite web |title=גולן ארנון |url=https://gen.rlzm.co.il/persons/%d7%92%d7%95%d7%9c%d7%9f-%d7%90%d7%a8%d7%a0%d7%95%d7%9f/ |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=gen.rlzm.co.il |language=he-IL}}</ref> and his little sister is a [[Special education|special-ed]] teacher in the [[Shamir Medical Center]]. <ref>{{Cite web |title=גולן רוני |url=https://gen.rlzm.co.il/persons/%d7%92%d7%95%d7%9c%d7%9f-%d7%a8%d7%95%d7%a0%d7%99-2/ |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=gen.rlzm.co.il |language=he-IL}}</ref>


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Golan was the head of the "nest council" of [[Rishon LeZion]] in the leftist [[Labor Zionism|Labour Zionist]] youth movement [[HaNoar HaOved VeHaLomed|The Working and Studying Youth]] <ref>{{Cite web |title=צפו: באיזו תנועת נוער חברים חברי הכנסת? |url=https://www.srugim.co.il/468888-%d7%91%d7%90%d7%99%d7%96%d7%95-%d7%aa%d7%a0%d7%95%d7%a2%d7%aa-%d7%a0%d7%95%d7%a2%d7%a8-%d7%97%d7%91%d7%a8%d7%99%d7%9d-%d7%94%d7%97%d7%9b%d7%99%d7%9d |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=סרוגים |language=he}}</ref>
Golan was the head of the "nest council" of [[Rishon LeZion]] in the leftist [[Labor Zionism|Labour Zionist]] youth movement [[HaNoar HaOved VeHaLomed|The Working and Studying Youth]] <ref>{{Cite web |title=צפו: באיזו תנועת נוער חברים חברי הכנסת? |url=https://www.srugim.co.il/468888-%d7%91%d7%90%d7%99%d7%96%d7%95-%d7%aa%d7%a0%d7%95%d7%a2%d7%aa-%d7%a0%d7%95%d7%a2%d7%a8-%d7%97%d7%91%d7%a8%d7%99%d7%9d-%d7%94%d7%97%d7%9b%d7%99%d7%9d |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=סרוגים |language=he}}</ref>


==Military Service==
==Military service==
[[File:South Lebanon Security Belt 52.jpg|thumb|Yair Golan in Lebanon during his military service|left|206x206px]]
[[File:South Lebanon Security Belt 52.jpg|thumb|Yair Golan in Lebanon during his military service|left|206x206px]]
Golan was drafted into the IDF in 1980. He volunteered as a paratrooper in the [[Paratroopers Brigade]]. He served as a soldier and a [[squad leader]] and fought in the [[1982 Lebanon War]]. After completing [[Officer Candidate School]] he became an [[infantry]] officer a and returned to the Paratroopers Brigade as a [[platoon leader]]. Golan served as the [[company commander|commander]] of the Brigade's [[BGM-71 TOW|Anti-tank]] company and led the 890 Paratroop Battalion in counter-guerrilla operations in the [[South Lebanon conflict (1985–2000)|South Lebanon conflict]] and in the [[First Intifada]].<ref>Finkel, Gal Perl [http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Israel-defines-redlines-for-Iran-in-Lebanon-542344 Israel defines redlines for Iran in Lebanon], ''[[The Jerusalem Post]]'', 11 February 2018.</ref> In 1993 he served as a Battalion Commander in IDF Officers' School and afterwards served as [[Judea and Samaria Division]]'s Operations Branch Officer. Between the years 1996–1997 he Commanded the Eastern brigade of Lebanon Liaison Unit and afterwards served as the head of the Operations section in the [[Operations Directorate]]. During the [[Second Intifada]], Golan commanded the [[Nahal Infantry Brigade]].<ref>Finkel, Gal Perl [https://www.jpost.com/Opinion/IDF-promotes-officers-who-think-outside-the-box-but-still-follow-the-line-560286 IDF promotes officers who think outside the box, but still follow the line], ''[[The Jerusalem Post]]'', 18 June 2018.</ref> Afterwards he commanded the [[91st Division (Israel)|91st Division]] and the [[Judea and Samaria Division]]. In the years 2008-2011 Golan served as the Commander of [[Home Front Command]], which he led through [[Operation Cast Lead]].<ref name="idf" /> In July 2011 he served as the Commander of [[Israeli Northern Command]],<ref name=":3" /> and in December 2014 as Deputy Chief of General Staff. Golan was replaced by [[Aluf]] [[Aviv Kochavi]] in May 2017 <ref name=":1" />and retired from active service in December 2018.
Golan was drafted into the IDF in 1980. He volunteered as a paratrooper in the [[Paratroopers Brigade]]. He served as a soldier and a [[squad leader]] and fought in the [[1982 Lebanon War]]. After completing [[Officer Candidate School]] he became an [[infantry]] officer a and returned to the Paratroopers Brigade as a [[platoon leader]]. Golan served as the [[company commander|commander]] of the Brigade's [[BGM-71 TOW|Anti-tank]] company and led the 890 Paratroop Battalion in counter-guerrilla operations in the [[South Lebanon conflict (1985–2000)|South Lebanon conflict]] and in the [[First Intifada]].<ref>Finkel, Gal Perl [http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Israel-defines-redlines-for-Iran-in-Lebanon-542344 Israel defines redlines for Iran in Lebanon], ''[[The Jerusalem Post]]'', 11 February 2018.</ref> In 1993 he served as a Battalion Commander in IDF Officers' School and afterwards served as [[Judea and Samaria Division]]'s Operations Branch Officer. Between the years 1996–1997 he Commanded the Eastern brigade of Lebanon Liaison Unit and afterwards served as the head of the Operations section in the [[Operations Directorate]]. During the [[Second Intifada]], Golan commanded the [[Nahal Infantry Brigade]].<ref>Finkel, Gal Perl [https://www.jpost.com/Opinion/IDF-promotes-officers-who-think-outside-the-box-but-still-follow-the-line-560286 IDF promotes officers who think outside the box, but still follow the line], ''[[The Jerusalem Post]]'', 18 June 2018.</ref> Afterwards he commanded the [[91st Division (Israel)|91st Division]] and the [[Judea and Samaria Division]]. In the years 2008-2011 Golan served as the Commander of [[Home Front Command]], which he led through [[Operation Cast Lead]].<ref name="idf" /> In July 2011 he served as the Commander of [[Israeli Northern Command]],<ref name=":3" /> and in December 2014 as Deputy Chief of General Staff. Golan was replaced by [[Aluf]] [[Aviv Kochavi]] in May 2017 <ref name=":1" />and retired from active service in December 2018.


==Political Life==
==Political life==
[[File:Yair Golan in Evyatar.jpg|thumb|Yair Golan in a protest against the [[Israeli outpost|illegal outpost]] of [[Evyatar]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mauricio |date=2022-02-27 |title=The Peace Camp is Back - 300 Peace Activists Came to the Illegal Outpost “Evyatar” to Demand for its Immediate Eviction |url=https://peacenow.org.il/en/the-peace-camp-is-back-demanding-eviction-of-evyatar-now |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=Peace Now |language=en-US}}</ref>]]
[[File:Yair Golan in Evyatar.jpg|thumb|Yair Golan in a protest against the [[Israeli outpost|illegal outpost]] of [[Evyatar]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mauricio |date=2022-02-27 |title=The Peace Camp is Back - 300 Peace Activists Came to the Illegal Outpost “Evyatar” to Demand for its Immediate Eviction |url=https://peacenow.org.il/en/the-peace-camp-is-back-demanding-eviction-of-evyatar-now |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=Peace Now |language=en-US}}</ref>]]
On 26 June 2019, [[Ehud Barak]] announced that Golan will join him in forming a new party intent on challenging Netanyahu in the upcoming [[September 2019 Israeli legislative election]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Declaring Netanyahu's time is up, Ehud Barak announces formation of new party|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/declaring-netanyahus-time-as-up-ehud-barak-announces-formation-of-new-party/|work=[[The Times of Israel]]|date=26 June 2019|access-date=29 June 2019|first=Jacob|last=Magid}}</ref> He later joined the [[Democratic Union (Israel)|Democratic Union]] alliance to contest the [[September 2019 Israeli legislative election|September election]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/266471|title=Meretz and Israel Democratic unite|work=[[Arutz Sheva]]|access-date=7 January 2020|date=25 July 2019|first=Elad|last=Benari}}</ref> and served as a Member of the [[List of members of the twenty-second Knesset|twenty-second Knesset]]
On 26 June 2019, [[Ehud Barak]] announced that Golan will join him in forming a new party intent on challenging Netanyahu in the upcoming [[September 2019 Israeli legislative election]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Declaring Netanyahu's time is up, Ehud Barak announces formation of new party|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/declaring-netanyahus-time-as-up-ehud-barak-announces-formation-of-new-party/|work=[[The Times of Israel]]|date=26 June 2019|access-date=29 June 2019|first=Jacob|last=Magid}}</ref> He later joined the [[Democratic Union (Israel)|Democratic Union]] alliance to contest the [[September 2019 Israeli legislative election|September election]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/266471|title=Meretz and Israel Democratic unite|work=[[Arutz Sheva]]|access-date=7 January 2020|date=25 July 2019|first=Elad|last=Benari}}</ref> and served as a Member of the [[List of members of the twenty-second Knesset|twenty-second Knesset]]
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==Controversies==
==Controversies==


=== The Holocaust Day Speech ===
=== Holocaust Day speech ===
As Deputy Chief of Staff, Golan made a speech on [[Yom HaShoah|Holocaust Day]] in 2016 in which some say he drew a parallel between Europe in general and Germany in particular in the 1930s and current day Israel, by saying "If there is one thing that is scary in remembering the [[The Holocaust|Holocaust]], it is noticing horrific processes which developed in Europe – particularly in Germany – 70, 80, and 90 years ago, and finding remnants of that here (in Israel) among us in the year 2016." He said that sometimes Israeli soldiers were harsh in dealing with Palestinians, and he highlighted the example of Sergeant [[Elor Azaria]] being tried over a Hebron shooting incident as evidence that the IDF investigates itself and has high moral standards.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Piggott |first=Mark |date=5 May 2016 |title=Top IDF officer Yair Golan compares modern Israel to 1930s Germany in bombshell speech |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/top-idf-officer-yair-golan-compares-modern-israel-1930s-germany-bombshell-speech-1558301 |website=International Business Times}}</ref> His comments drew significant criticism on social media, with Twitter users accusing Golan of "forgetting the lessons of the Holocaust."<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 May 2016 |title=IDF general in bombshell speech: Israel today shows signs of 1930s Germany |url=http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/IDF-general-in-bombshell-speech-Israel-today-shows-signs-of-1930s-Germany-453142 |website=The Jerusalem Post}}</ref> Israeli Prime Minister [[Benjamin Netanyahu]] called the comments "outrageous" and said they "do injustice to Israeli society and create contempt for the Holocaust." Culture Minister [[Miri Regev]] called for his resignation, while opposition leader [[Isaac Herzog]] praised Golan for exhibiting "morality and responsibility."<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 May 2016 |title=Netanyahu upbraids top general for 'outrageous' Shoah comparison |url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-upbraids-idf-general-for-outrageous-shoah-comparison/ |website=The Times of Israel}}</ref>
As Deputy Chief of Staff, Golan made a speech on [[Yom HaShoah|Holocaust Day]] in 2016 in which some say he drew a parallel between Europe in general and Germany in particular in the 1930s and current day Israel, by saying "If there is one thing that is scary in remembering the [[The Holocaust|Holocaust]], it is noticing horrific processes which developed in Europe – particularly in Germany – 70, 80, and 90 years ago, and finding remnants of that here (in Israel) among us in the year 2016." He said that sometimes Israeli soldiers were harsh in dealing with Palestinians, and he highlighted the example of Sergeant [[Elor Azaria]] being tried over a Hebron shooting incident as evidence that the IDF investigates itself and has high moral standards.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Piggott |first=Mark |date=5 May 2016 |title=Top IDF officer Yair Golan compares modern Israel to 1930s Germany in bombshell speech |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/top-idf-officer-yair-golan-compares-modern-israel-1930s-germany-bombshell-speech-1558301 |website=International Business Times}}</ref> His comments drew significant criticism on social media, with Twitter users accusing Golan of "forgetting the lessons of the Holocaust."<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 May 2016 |title=IDF general in bombshell speech: Israel today shows signs of 1930s Germany |url=http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/IDF-general-in-bombshell-speech-Israel-today-shows-signs-of-1930s-Germany-453142 |website=The Jerusalem Post}}</ref> Israeli Prime Minister [[Benjamin Netanyahu]] called the comments "outrageous" and said they "do injustice to Israeli society and create contempt for the Holocaust." Culture Minister [[Miri Regev]] called for his resignation, while opposition leader [[Isaac Herzog]] praised Golan for exhibiting "morality and responsibility."<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 May 2016 |title=Netanyahu upbraids top general for 'outrageous' Shoah comparison |url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-upbraids-idf-general-for-outrageous-shoah-comparison/ |website=The Times of Israel}}</ref>


Later, Golan retracted and said that he did not intend to compare Israel to Nazi Germany, releasing a statement in which he said "It is an absurd and baseless comparison and I had no intention whatsoever to draw any sort of parallel or to criticize the national leadership. The IDF is a moral army that respects the rules of engagement and protects human dignity."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Beaumont |first=Peter |date=5 May 2016 |title=Israeli military chief backtracks from 1930s Germany comparison |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/05/israeli-military-chief-yair-golan-nazi-germany-comparison |website=The Guardian}}</ref>
Later, Golan retracted and said that he did not intend to compare Israel to Nazi Germany, releasing a statement in which he said "It is an absurd and baseless comparison and I had no intention whatsoever to draw any sort of parallel or to criticize the national leadership. The IDF is a moral army that respects the rules of engagement and protects human dignity."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Beaumont |first=Peter |date=5 May 2016 |title=Israeli military chief backtracks from 1930s Germany comparison |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/05/israeli-military-chief-yair-golan-nazi-germany-comparison |website=The Guardian}}</ref>


=== The Homesh Incident ===
=== Homesh incident ===
[[Homesh]] was an I[[Israeli settlement|sraeli settlement]] that was evicted in the [[Israeli disengagement from Gaza|2005 disengagement]], but since then had constant illegal attempts to resettle it, and is a source of protest and violence in the [[West Bank]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=סלע |first=קובי |date=2007-04-11 |title=מטות הימין: צעדה לחומש ביום העצמאות |url=https://www.inn.co.il/news/161343 |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=ערוץ 7 |language=he}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Weiss |first=Efrat |date=2007-04-27 |title=Settlers return to Homesh after evacuation |language=en |work=Ynetnews |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3392829,00.html |access-date=2022-12-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Yearning to Return Home to Homesh |language=en |work=Haaretz |url=https://www.haaretz.com/2008-08-07/ty-article/yearning-to-return-home-to-homesh/0000017f-e384-d568-ad7f-f3efd7310000 |access-date=2022-12-16}}</ref>
[[Homesh]] was an I[[Israeli settlement|sraeli settlement]] that was evicted in the [[Israeli disengagement from Gaza|2005 disengagement]], but since then had constant illegal attempts to resettle it, and is a source of protest and violence in the [[West Bank]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=סלע |first=קובי |date=2007-04-11 |title=מטות הימין: צעדה לחומש ביום העצמאות |url=https://www.inn.co.il/news/161343 |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=ערוץ 7 |language=he}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Weiss |first=Efrat |date=2007-04-27 |title=Settlers return to Homesh after evacuation |language=en |work=Ynetnews |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3392829,00.html |access-date=2022-12-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Yearning to Return Home to Homesh |language=en |work=Haaretz |url=https://www.haaretz.com/2008-08-07/ty-article/yearning-to-return-home-to-homesh/0000017f-e384-d568-ad7f-f3efd7310000 |access-date=2022-12-16}}</ref>


On December 16, 2021, Yehudah Dimentman, a resident of the nearby [[Israeli settlement|settlement]], [[Shavei Shomron]] who was a student at the [[Homesh]] outpost yeshiva, was killed by a Palestinian shooter.<ref>{{Cite web |last=staff |first=T. O. I. |title=‘A huge loss’: Yehuda Dimentman, 25, named as victim of West Bank terror shooting |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/a-huge-loss-yehudah-dimentman-25-named-as-victim-of-west-bank-terror-shooting/ |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=www.timesofisrael.com |language=en-US}}</ref> In response to the attack, [[Homesh]] [[Israeli settlement|settlers]] attacked a man from the village of [[Burqa, Nablus|Burqa]], damaged houses and desecrated graves.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Israeli settlers attack village in occupied West Bank |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/12/24/israeli-settlers-attack-village-in-occupied-west-bank |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=הפלסטינים בכפרים שליד חומש משלמים את המחיר על רצח יהודה דימנטמן |language=he |work=הארץ |url=https://www.haaretz.co.il/news/politics/2022-01-06/ty-article-magazine/.premium/0000017f-f56e-ddde-abff-fd6f08290000 |access-date=2022-12-16}}</ref> Golan said that: "Those people who come to settle there, riot in Burqa, destroy gravestones, committed a pogrom. Do we abuse gravestones? These are not people, these are subhumans, despicable people, the corruption of the Jewish people."<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Israeli official sparks firestorm by calling settlers 'despicable,' 'subhuman' {{!}} |url=https://thearabweekly.com/israeli-official-sparks-firestorm-calling-settlers-despicable-subhuman |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=AW |language=en}}</ref> The use of the phrase "subhuman" provoked a lot of criticism,<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=i24NEWS |url=https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/politics/1641468071-israel-minister-blasted-for-referring-to-settlers-as-subhuman |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=www.i24news.tv}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title="אלה תתי אדם": גולן שוב מעורר סערת ענק וחוטף אש מבנט וחבריו לממשלה |url=https://www.maariv.co.il/news/politics/Article-889585 |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=www.maariv.co.il}}</ref> and Golan said it was an "unsuccessful expression".<ref>{{Cite web |last=staff |first=T. O. I. |title=Deputy minister says he regrets ‘subhuman’ settlers comment, but stands by criticism |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/deputy-minister-say-he-regrets-subhuman-settlers-comment-but-stands-by-criticism/ |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=www.timesofisrael.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=יאיר גולן מתנצל: "אולי זו הייתה אמירה מוגזמת" |url=https://www.srugim.co.il/635136-%d7%99%d7%90%d7%99%d7%a8-%d7%92%d7%95%d7%9c%d7%9f-%d7%9e%d7%aa%d7%a0%d7%a6%d7%9c-%d7%90%d7%95%d7%9c%d7%99-%d7%96%d7%95-%d7%94%d7%99%d7%99%d7%aa%d7%94-%d7%90%d7%9e%d7%99%d7%a8%d7%94-%d7%9e%d7%95 |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=סרוגים |language=he}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-01-06 |title=N12 - יאיר גולן: "האמירה שלי לא מוצלחת ונאמרה בכעס" |url=https://www.mako.co.il/news-politics/2022_q1/Article-9cfab9d9a903e71027.htm |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=N12}}</ref>
On December 16, 2021, Yehudah Dimentman, a resident of the nearby [[Israeli settlement|settlement]], [[Shavei Shomron]] who was a student at the [[Homesh]] outpost yeshiva, was killed by a Palestinian shooter.<ref>{{Cite web |last=staff |first=T. O. I. |title=‘A huge loss’: Yehuda Dimentman, 25, named as victim of West Bank terror shooting |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/a-huge-loss-yehudah-dimentman-25-named-as-victim-of-west-bank-terror-shooting/ |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=www.timesofisrael.com |language=en-US}}</ref> In response to the attack, [[Homesh]] [[Israeli settlement|settlers]] attacked a man from the village of [[Burqa, Nablus|Burqa]], damaged houses and desecrated graves.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Israeli settlers attack village in occupied West Bank |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/12/24/israeli-settlers-attack-village-in-occupied-west-bank |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=הפלסטינים בכפרים שליד חומש משלמים את המחיר על רצח יהודה דימנטמן |language=he |work=הארץ |url=https://www.haaretz.co.il/news/politics/2022-01-06/ty-article-magazine/.premium/0000017f-f56e-ddde-abff-fd6f08290000 |access-date=2022-12-16}}</ref> Golan said that: "Those people who come to settle there, riot in Burqa, destroy gravestones, committed a pogrom. Do we abuse gravestones? These are not people, these are subhumans, despicable people, the corruption of the Jewish people."<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Israeli official sparks firestorm by calling settlers 'despicable,' 'subhuman' {{!}} |url=https://thearabweekly.com/israeli-official-sparks-firestorm-calling-settlers-despicable-subhuman |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=AW |language=en}}</ref> The use of the phrase "subhuman" provoked a lot of criticism,<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=i24NEWS |url=https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/politics/1641468071-israel-minister-blasted-for-referring-to-settlers-as-subhuman |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=www.i24news.tv}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title="אלה תתי אדם": גולן שוב מעורר סערת ענק וחוטף אש מבנט וחבריו לממשלה |url=https://www.maariv.co.il/news/politics/Article-889585 |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=www.maariv.co.il}}</ref> and Golan said it was an "unsuccessful expression".<ref>{{Cite web |last=staff |first=T. O. I. |title=Deputy minister says he regrets ‘subhuman’ settlers comment, but stands by criticism |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/deputy-minister-say-he-regrets-subhuman-settlers-comment-but-stands-by-criticism/ |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=www.timesofisrael.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=יאיר גולן מתנצל: "אולי זו הייתה אמירה מוגזמת" |url=https://www.srugim.co.il/635136-%d7%99%d7%90%d7%99%d7%a8-%d7%92%d7%95%d7%9c%d7%9f-%d7%9e%d7%aa%d7%a0%d7%a6%d7%9c-%d7%90%d7%95%d7%9c%d7%99-%d7%96%d7%95-%d7%94%d7%99%d7%99%d7%aa%d7%94-%d7%90%d7%9e%d7%99%d7%a8%d7%94-%d7%9e%d7%95 |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=סרוגים |language=he}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-01-06 |title=N12 - יאיר גולן: "האמירה שלי לא מוצלחת ונאמרה בכעס" |url=https://www.mako.co.il/news-politics/2022_q1/Article-9cfab9d9a903e71027.htm |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=N12}}</ref>


== Personal Life and Education ==
== Personal life and education ==
Golan holds a bachelor's degree in political science from [[Tel Aviv University]], and a master's degree in public administration policy from [[Harvard University]] in the [[United States]] (joint program of the [[Wexner Foundation]] and the [[Harvard Kennedy School|Kennedy School of Government]]).<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=יאיר גולן |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/category/39094 |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=ynet |language=he}}</ref>
Golan holds a bachelor's degree in political science from [[Tel Aviv University]], and a master's degree in public administration policy from [[Harvard University]] in the [[United States]] (joint program of the [[Wexner Foundation]] and the [[Harvard Kennedy School|Kennedy School of Government]]).<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=יאיר גולן |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/category/39094 |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=ynet |language=he}}</ref>


Revision as of 02:09, 18 December 2022

Yair Golan
יָאִיר גּוֹלָן
Deputy Minister of Economy
Incumbent
Assumed office
2021
Faction represented in the Knesset
In office
2019–2022
2019–2020
2020–2022		Democratic Union
Meretz
Personal details
Born (1962-05-14) 14 May 1962 (age 62)
Rishon LeZion, Israel
Political partyMeretz
ResidenceRosh HaAyin
Alma materTel Aviv University
Harvard University
Military service
AllegianceIsrael Israel
Years of service1980–2018
Rank Aluf
Commands
Battles/wars

Yair Golan (Hebrew: יָאִיר גּוֹלָן; born May 14, 1962) is an Israeli politician. He serves as the Deputy Minister of Economy in the Thirty-sixth government,[1] and served as a Member of Knesset representing Meretz in 2019-2022.[2] He is a reserved major general in the Israel Defense Forces. During his military service he served, among other roles, as the IDF Deputy Chief of Staff,[3] Commander of the Home Front Command and Commander of the Northern Command.[4][5]

Early life and biography

Golan was born and grew up in Rishon LeZion. His father, Gershon Goldner, fled with his parents to Palestine from Nazi Germany in 1935.[6] His father served in the IDF and his last role was a senior technical assistant to the chief communications and electronics officer at the rank of lieutenant colonel (Sgan Aluf). [7] His mother, Rachel, was born in Tel Aviv [8] In the family of Aryeh Rapoport who immigrated in 1921 from Ukraine [9] and Hana, born in Nachelat Yehuda. [10] His elder brother is a professor in the University of Haifa [11] and his little sister is a special-ed teacher in the Shamir Medical Center. [12]

Studied at Haviv Elementary School and "Yadlin" School in Rishon LeZion and Ort Singalovsky School in Tel Aviv. [13]

Golan was the head of the "nest council" of Rishon LeZion in the leftist Labour Zionist youth movement The Working and Studying Youth [14]

Military service

Yair Golan in Lebanon during his military service

Golan was drafted into the IDF in 1980. He volunteered as a paratrooper in the Paratroopers Brigade. He served as a soldier and a squad leader and fought in the 1982 Lebanon War. After completing Officer Candidate School he became an infantry officer a and returned to the Paratroopers Brigade as a platoon leader. Golan served as the commander of the Brigade's Anti-tank company and led the 890 Paratroop Battalion in counter-guerrilla operations in the South Lebanon conflict and in the First Intifada.[15] In 1993 he served as a Battalion Commander in IDF Officers' School and afterwards served as Judea and Samaria Division's Operations Branch Officer. Between the years 1996–1997 he Commanded the Eastern brigade of Lebanon Liaison Unit and afterwards served as the head of the Operations section in the Operations Directorate. During the Second Intifada, Golan commanded the Nahal Infantry Brigade.[16] Afterwards he commanded the 91st Division and the Judea and Samaria Division. In the years 2008-2011 Golan served as the Commander of Home Front Command, which he led through Operation Cast Lead.[4] In July 2011 he served as the Commander of Israeli Northern Command,[5] and in December 2014 as Deputy Chief of General Staff. Golan was replaced by Aluf Aviv Kochavi in May 2017 [3]and retired from active service in December 2018.

Political life

Yair Golan in a protest against the illegal outpost of Evyatar[17]

On 26 June 2019, Ehud Barak announced that Golan will join him in forming a new party intent on challenging Netanyahu in the upcoming September 2019 Israeli legislative election.[18] He later joined the Democratic Union alliance to contest the September election[19] and served as a Member of the twenty-second Knesset

He re-activated the Democratic Choice party in January 2020, becoming its leader and joining the Democratic Union again in advance of the 2020 Israeli legislative election. [20] In December 2020, Golan announced his accession to Meretz, and was elected to the twenty-fourth Knesset. He was appointed Deputy Minister of Economy under Orna Barbivai.[1] He has represented Meretz in the Knesset until the party failed to pass the electoral threshold in the 2022 legislative elections.[21]

Controversies

Holocaust Day speech

As Deputy Chief of Staff, Golan made a speech on Holocaust Day in 2016 in which some say he drew a parallel between Europe in general and Germany in particular in the 1930s and current day Israel, by saying "If there is one thing that is scary in remembering the Holocaust, it is noticing horrific processes which developed in Europe – particularly in Germany – 70, 80, and 90 years ago, and finding remnants of that here (in Israel) among us in the year 2016." He said that sometimes Israeli soldiers were harsh in dealing with Palestinians, and he highlighted the example of Sergeant Elor Azaria being tried over a Hebron shooting incident as evidence that the IDF investigates itself and has high moral standards.[22] His comments drew significant criticism on social media, with Twitter users accusing Golan of "forgetting the lessons of the Holocaust."[23] Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the comments "outrageous" and said they "do injustice to Israeli society and create contempt for the Holocaust." Culture Minister Miri Regev called for his resignation, while opposition leader Isaac Herzog praised Golan for exhibiting "morality and responsibility."[24]

Later, Golan retracted and said that he did not intend to compare Israel to Nazi Germany, releasing a statement in which he said "It is an absurd and baseless comparison and I had no intention whatsoever to draw any sort of parallel or to criticize the national leadership. The IDF is a moral army that respects the rules of engagement and protects human dignity."[25]

Homesh incident

Homesh was an Israeli settlement that was evicted in the 2005 disengagement, but since then had constant illegal attempts to resettle it, and is a source of protest and violence in the West Bank.[26][27][28]

On December 16, 2021, Yehudah Dimentman, a resident of the nearby settlement, Shavei Shomron who was a student at the Homesh outpost yeshiva, was killed by a Palestinian shooter.[29] In response to the attack, Homesh settlers attacked a man from the village of Burqa, damaged houses and desecrated graves.[30][31] Golan said that: "Those people who come to settle there, riot in Burqa, destroy gravestones, committed a pogrom. Do we abuse gravestones? These are not people, these are subhumans, despicable people, the corruption of the Jewish people."[32] The use of the phrase "subhuman" provoked a lot of criticism,[32][33][34] and Golan said it was an "unsuccessful expression".[35][36][37]

Personal life and education

Golan holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Tel Aviv University, and a master's degree in public administration policy from Harvard University in the United States (joint program of the Wexner Foundation and the Kennedy School of Government).[38]

He is a father to five children. His residence is in Rosh HaAyin.[38]

References

  1. ^ a b "Yair Golan". GOV.IL. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  2. ^ "Former General Yair Golan Formally Joins Meretz, but Doesn't Seek to Unseat Party Leader". Haaretz. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  3. ^ a b Gross, Judah Ari. "Aviv Kochavi takes over from Yair Golan as IDF deputy chief". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  4. ^ a b "Major General Yair Golan, GOC Homefront Command". Israel Defense Forces. Retrieved 28 December 2008.
  5. ^ a b "אתר צה"ל - צבא ההגנה לישראל". web.archive.org. 4 March 2016. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  6. ^ "אלוף פיקוד צפון: "נסראללה שם את כל הקלפים על אסד" - וואלה! חדשות". וואלה! (in Hebrew). 4 October 2013. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  7. ^ "⁨הוקמה מםגרת־גג למפעליטלרד" " ⁩ — ⁨⁨דבר⁩ 3 ספטמבר 1973⁩ — הספרייה הלאומית של ישראל │ עיתונים". www.nli.org.il (in Hebrew). Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  8. ^ "⁨‭..‬נגר"אדי ז י ⁩ — ⁨⁨הצפה⁩ 12 ינואר 1954⁩ — הספרייה הלאומית של ישראל │ עיתונים". www.nli.org.il (in Hebrew). Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  9. ^ "אריה רפופורט". gen.rlzm.co.il (in Hebrew). Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  10. ^ "חנה רפופורט". gen.rlzm.co.il (in Hebrew). Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  11. ^ "גולן ארנון". gen.rlzm.co.il (in Hebrew). Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  12. ^ "גולן רוני". gen.rlzm.co.il (in Hebrew). Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  13. ^ "גולן יאיר". gen.rlzm.co.il (in Hebrew). Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  14. ^ "צפו: באיזו תנועת נוער חברים חברי הכנסת?". סרוגים (in Hebrew). Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  15. ^ Finkel, Gal Perl Israel defines redlines for Iran in Lebanon, The Jerusalem Post, 11 February 2018.
  16. ^ Finkel, Gal Perl IDF promotes officers who think outside the box, but still follow the line, The Jerusalem Post, 18 June 2018.
  17. ^ Mauricio (27 February 2022). "The Peace Camp is Back - 300 Peace Activists Came to the Illegal Outpost "Evyatar" to Demand for its Immediate Eviction". Peace Now. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  18. ^ Magid, Jacob (26 June 2019). "Declaring Netanyahu's time is up, Ehud Barak announces formation of new party". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  19. ^ Benari, Elad (25 July 2019). "Meretz and Israel Democratic unite". Arutz Sheva. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
  20. ^ Magid, Jacob (7 January 2020). "2 of 3 left-wing slates that make up Democratic Camp ink deal to stick together". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
  21. ^ "Meretz officially out of Knesset for first time since party is formed". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  22. ^ Piggott, Mark (5 May 2016). "Top IDF officer Yair Golan compares modern Israel to 1930s Germany in bombshell speech". International Business Times.
  23. ^ "IDF general in bombshell speech: Israel today shows signs of 1930s Germany". The Jerusalem Post. 4 May 2016.
  24. ^ "Netanyahu upbraids top general for 'outrageous' Shoah comparison". The Times of Israel. 8 May 2016.
  25. ^ Beaumont, Peter (5 May 2016). "Israeli military chief backtracks from 1930s Germany comparison". The Guardian.
  26. ^ סלע, קובי (11 April 2007). "מטות הימין: צעדה לחומש ביום העצמאות". ערוץ 7 (in Hebrew). Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  27. ^ Weiss, Efrat (27 April 2007). "Settlers return to Homesh after evacuation". Ynetnews. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  28. ^ "Yearning to Return Home to Homesh". Haaretz. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  29. ^ staff, T. O. I. "'A huge loss': Yehuda Dimentman, 25, named as victim of West Bank terror shooting". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  30. ^ "Israeli settlers attack village in occupied West Bank". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  31. ^ "הפלסטינים בכפרים שליד חומש משלמים את המחיר על רצח יהודה דימנטמן". הארץ (in Hebrew). Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  32. ^ a b "Israeli official sparks firestorm by calling settlers 'despicable,' 'subhuman' |". AW. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  33. ^ "i24NEWS". www.i24news.tv. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  34. ^ ""אלה תתי אדם": גולן שוב מעורר סערת ענק וחוטף אש מבנט וחבריו לממשלה". www.maariv.co.il. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  35. ^ staff, T. O. I. "Deputy minister says he regrets 'subhuman' settlers comment, but stands by criticism". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  36. ^ "יאיר גולן מתנצל: "אולי זו הייתה אמירה מוגזמת"". סרוגים (in Hebrew). Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  37. ^ "N12 - יאיר גולן: "האמירה שלי לא מוצלחת ונאמרה בכעס"". N12. 6 January 2022. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  38. ^ a b "יאיר גולן". ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 16 December 2022.
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