The ongoing war in Gaza has sparked one of the rarest and most intense public critiques of Israel’s military conduct from within the country. Yair Golan, a prominent Israeli politician and former general, sharply condemned the impact of the war on Palestinian civilians in a statement that shocked many and ignited widespread controversy across Israel’s political spectrum.

Speaking on Israeli public radio, Golan criticized the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza by stating that Israel was becoming a pariah state. He condemned the killing of Palestinian civilians, including children, calling it a reckless and morally indefensible course of action. His comments included phrases such as Israel “fighting against civilians,” and “killing babies as a hobby,” and accused the state of pursuing goals akin to “expelling a population.” These harsh words represent some of the strongest criticism of Israel’s wartime strategy expressed by a public figure within the country.

Golan’s remarks stand out because, aside from politically marginalized left-wing groups, open discussion of the suffering and deaths of Palestinians has rarely appeared in Israeli public discourse. The prevailing narrative in Israel remains heavily shaped by trauma from Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack, which killed 1,200 Israelis and resulted in the abduction of 251 hostages. Israeli society largely continues to rally behind its military and government, viewing the conflict as an existential struggle, especially with hostages still held and soldiers actively engaged in rescue efforts.

This atmosphere has shaped a national narrative focused overwhelmingly on condemning Hamas and supporting military efforts to secure hostages and defend the country. Stories about the plight of Palestinians, though covered internationally, receive less prominence in Israeli media, which tends to emphasize Israeli suffering and the justifications for military operations.

The political fallout from Golan’s comments was swift and fierce. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused him of spreading antisemitic blood libels, while other political figures demanded retraction and apology. A cabinet minister even linked Golan’s words to a violent attack in Washington, further intensifying the backlash. Golan, however, pushed back, blaming Netanyahu’s government for fueling antisemitism and hatred toward Israel.

Despite the controversy, Golan’s statements have struck a chord with anti-war protest movements within Israel. These protests have grown modestly but steadily since the ceasefire ended in March 2025, with demonstrators holding images of Palestinian children killed in the conflict and increasingly highlighting the human cost of the war on Gaza’s civilians. Activists see Golan’s words as a rare validation of their concerns and hope for a shift in public awareness and opinion.

Meanwhile, former Israeli leaders like Ehud Olmert, though disagreeing with Golan’s wording, acknowledged that many Israelis share a growing unease about the war’s trajectory and humanitarian consequences. Polls indicate that much of the Israeli public supports ending the conflict in exchange for the release of hostages.

The Gaza war has left over 53,000 dead, mostly civilians including women and children, according to local Gaza health authorities. Displacement and destruction have reached catastrophic levels, with 90 percent of Gaza’s population uprooted and widespread hunger affecting millions. This humanitarian crisis continues to unfold amid heated political debate in Israel and worldwide.

Yair Golan’s rare public criticism underscores the deep divisions within Israeli society over the war and the challenge of reconciling security concerns with humanitarian considerations. His statements have opened a window into the evolving discourse and growing tensions around Israel’s approach to Gaza, raising fundamental questions about the future course of the conflict and prospects for peace.

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