MembersA Bible-Toting, Settler-Sympathizing Far-Left Politician? Yes, They Exist

Don’t judge a book by its cover. Not every “radical” leftist rejects the Bible’s place in Israel’s modern story

Yair Golan in the Knesset
Yair Golan has aligned himself with the secular Meretz party, but says he still carries a Bible. Photo: Yonatan Sindel/Flash90

Is a biblical faith in the Jewish people’s historical connection to and right to live in Judea and Samaria (the so-called “West Bank”) the exclusive domain of right-wing politicians?

You’d think so, not only from the way right-wing politicians speak, but even more so from the way some far-left Israeli lawmakers rejoiced when Ben & Jerry’s decided to boycott Jewish settlers living in “Occupied Palestinian Territories.”

But things are not always so black and white, especially among the older generation of Israeli politicians who hold more nuanced views regarding the struggle over the Promised Land. And this is often even more true of those with a career military background who know the conflict up close and personal.

Maj.-Gen. (ret.) Yair Golan is a prime example. A former Deputy Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces, and before that commander of the Home Front Command and the Northern Command, Golan today serves as a Member of Knesset for the far-left political party Meretz.

His political affiliation notwithstanding (the party leaders...

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