Fri May 23 04:45:50 UTC 2025: **Headline: Israeli Politician’s Criticism of Gaza War Sparks Domestic Uproar**

**Tel Aviv, May 23, 2025:** A prominent Israeli politician’s scathing remarks about Israel’s conduct in the Gaza war have ignited a fierce debate within the country, highlighting the stark contrast in perspectives between Israel and the international community on the conflict.

Yair Golan, a center-left opposition leader and former general, accused Israel of becoming a “pariah state,” engaging in “fighting against civilians,” and “killing babies as a hobby.” These comments, made during an interview with Israeli public radio station Reshet Bet, represent some of the harshest language against Israel’s wartime conduct, particularly concerning the plight of Palestinian civilians in Gaza.

Golan’s remarks are considered rare within Israel, where public discourse often centers on the trauma of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, the ongoing hostage crisis, and the perceived righteousness of the military. Criticism of the war has largely focused on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership and alleged political motivations, with less emphasis on the devastating impact on Gaza’s civilian population.

While Golan clarified that his criticism targeted the far-right government, not the soldiers, his words have resonated with a segment of the population increasingly concerned about the war’s toll. Public opinion polls indicate support for ending the war in exchange for the release of hostages, and anti-war protests, though still a minority, are growing.

The remarks have drawn condemnation from across the political spectrum. Netanyahu dismissed Golan’s comments as “disgraceful antisemitic blood libels”. Cabinet minister Amichay Eliyahu even went so far as to suggest that Golan’s words inspired an attacker in Washington, who killed two Israeli embassy employees, which Golan refuted.

Despite the controversy, some observers believe Golan’s words reflect a growing sentiment within Israel. Alma Beck, an activist, stated the shift towards connecting the dots regarding the Palestinian toll will hopefully only grow. Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, while disputing Golan’s language, acknowledged that the essence of his remarks “reflects what many people think.”

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