Israeli Politician’s Stark Criticism of Gaza War Ignites Fierce Debate

TEL AVIV, Israel — In a rare and sharply critical voice within Israel, opposition leader Yair Golan condemned the country’s war conduct in Gaza this week, igniting a heated uproar across the political spectrum. His harsh words highlighted the devastating toll on Palestinian civilians — a topic largely absent from Israel’s public discourse amid the ongoing conflict.

Golan, a former general and head of a center-left party, accused Israel’s far-right government of “killing babies as a hobby,” “expelling a population,” and “fighting against civilians.” Speaking on Israeli public radio, he warned that Israel risks becoming a pariah state if it continues such actions.

His comments, focused on the suffering of Palestinians, broke a long-standing silence in Israeli political debate, where criticism typically centers on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s war strategy and failure to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas.

A Rare Spotlight on Palestinian Civilians

In Israel, public and media attention remains deeply rooted in the trauma of Hamas’ deadly October 7, 2023 attack, which killed 1,200 people and left 251 hostages. Many Israelis see the war as a justified response to that attack and remain focused on rescuing the remaining 58 hostages.

Because of this, discussions about Palestinian civilian casualties — now estimated at over 53,000 deaths in Gaza — have been limited. The majority of Israeli media emphasize Hamas’ responsibility for the civilian toll, and most Israelis find it difficult to reconcile the idea that their own soldiers could be implicated in such suffering.

Ehud Olmert, former prime minister and vocal critic of Netanyahu, said Golan’s words “reflect what many people think,” even if the choice of language was provocative. He noted, “Part of the Israeli public and media are still trapped in the initial shock that started this war, but this is changing.”

Deep National Trauma Shapes the Narrative

The collective trauma from Hamas’ attack solidified a national narrative portraying the war as an existential fight for Israel’s survival. “When you fight a war of existence, you don’t much think about the suffering of the enemy,” said Shmuel Rosner, a Jerusalem-based policy expert.

Within this framework, the pain of Gaza’s civilians rarely surfaces in public debate or media coverage. Images of hostages and victims of Hamas line Israeli streets and dominate news, while harsh realities in Gaza remain largely sidelined.

Political Fallout and Public Backlash

Golan’s remarks sparked immediate condemnation. Prime Minister Netanyahu branded them “disgraceful antisemitic blood libels,” while opposition leader Benny Gantz called them “extreme and false” and demanded a retraction. Golan refused to apologize, clarifying that his criticism targeted the government’s policies, not Israeli soldiers.

Tensions escalated further when a cabinet minister blamed Golan’s words for inspiring a deadly attack on two Israeli embassy workers in Washington. Golan responded by accusing Netanyahu’s far-right government of fueling hatred and antisemitism.

Voices for Change Amidst Division

Despite the backlash, Golan’s focus on Palestinian suffering has resonated with anti-war activists and some Israelis questioning the ongoing conflict. Alma Beck, a long-time protester showing images of Palestinian children killed in Gaza, said, “I think there is a shift. People are starting to connect the dots.”

Yet, she cautioned that this remains a minority viewpoint. Most of Israeli society continues to support the war effort and sees the conflict through the lens of security and survival.

A Politician With Much at Stake

Golan is no stranger to controversy. As a former deputy military chief of staff, his outspoken views have often stirred debate, including a 2016 speech comparing Israel’s political climate to Nazi-era Germany.

Unlike other public figures who have criticized Israel’s actions from the sidelines, Golan’s role as a political leader gives his words added weight — and added risk.

As the war grinds on, his challenge to Israel’s dominant narrative spotlights a painful, complex reality many have hesitated to face: the human cost on both sides of a deeply entrenched conflict. Whether his warnings will spark wider reflection or deepen divisions remains to be seen.