Yair Golan, head of Israel’s Democrats party, has retracted his claim that Israel was “killing babies as a hobby” in Gaza, following widespread outrage. The former IDF general clarified his remarks targeted government policies, not soldiers, amid the ongoing Gaza conflict.
The Provocative Statement
On May 20, 2025, Golan told a radio station that Israel risked becoming a “pariah state” by waging war against civilians and “killing babies as a hobby.” The comments drew immediate condemnation from Prime Minister Netanyahu, who labeled them “despicable blood libel,” and opposition leader Yair Lapid, who called them a “gift to our enemies.”
Golan’s Defense
Golan clarified his criticism was aimed at the government’s leadership, not the IDF, which he praised as heroic. Despite this, calls persisted to strip his military rank, with Justice Minister Yariv Levin among the critics. Former PM Ehud Barak defended Golan’s intent to critique policy.
Broader Context
The controversy unfolds against Israel’s Gaza campaign, which has killed over 53,000 Palestinians since October 2023, drawing global scrutiny. Golan’s remarks, though retracted, have intensified debates about Israel’s actions and political unity.
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