Not Completed Adolescence: A Senior Psychologist Analyzes the Personality of Yair Golan
In a recent interview, Dr. Ophir Grozberd, a clinical psychologist and former advisor in the Intelligence Corps of the IDF, offered an in-depth psychological analysis of Knesset member Yair Golan, who currently serves as the leader of the Democratic Party and previously held the position of Deputy Chief of Staff of the IDF. Golan’s recent controversial assertion that IDF soldiers “kill babies as a hobby” in Gaza has stirred considerable public outcry.
Complex Personality Traits
Dr. Grozberd describes Golan as a multifaceted individual, characterized by contradictions: an admirable figure who refuses to abandon his empathy for the oppressed, yet harbors significant anger towards authority figures that manifests in verbal defiance. “I will try to shed light on Golan’s personality as I perceive it through media portrayals and a singular meeting,” Grozberd states.
Golan’s background is steeped in family history and values; his father fled Nazi Germany in 1935 and served in the IDF as a lieutenant colstartl. Golan himself was active in youth movements and chose to serve in the paratroopers to mirror his brother’s path. His military career includes a notable injury sustained during engagement with Hezbollah in 1997, yet he continued to lead his troops into combat.
According to Grozberd, Golan embodies qualities of courage and dedication to his education while also showing signs of conflicts in his military decisions. As the commander of the Nahal Brigade in 2000, he advocated for operations against Palestinian terrorism during the Second Intifada despite complex urban environments. He later commanded the Judea and Samaria Division and faced reprimands for policies that conflicted with political directives, hinting at a disconnect between his duties and personal beliefs.
The Struggle Between Authority and Identity
Grozberd identifies a continual tension within Golan’s professional life, revealing his deep-rooted identification with both his comrades and the settlers he is tasked to protect. “Interestingly, an individual shaped by the values of the labor youth movement aligns himself with the settlers of Hebron and defies commander orders,” he remarks.
start of Golan’s most striking moments was his speech during Holocaust Remembrance Day in 2016, which challenged sacred tenets of authority and raised substantial controversy. Grozberd observes, “There is something immature in the personality of this brave commander who is now trying to delineate an independent identity.”
Political Perspectives and Emotional Responses
Golan’s recent statements indicate a stark black-and-white worldview that lacks nuance, according to Grozberd. “He sees the world without shades of gray; he has not completed the adolescent rebellion that many of us experience,” he explains. This notion of ongoing rebellion, coupled with emotional volatility, shapes Golan’s political narrative.
When asked whether Golan experiences feelings of guilt or engages in a perpetual act of rebellion, Grozberd suggests affirmative answers. “Does Yair feel guilt towards the weak he empathizes with? Quite possibly. Does he rebel against authority? Probably. However, his rigidity and underlying anger prevent him from expressing regret or acknowledging the consequences of his words and actions,” he elaborates.
Despite recognizing his courageous acts, such as rescuing individuals trapped in dangerous situations during military operations, Grozberd emphasizes that Golan tends to fully identify with others in distress, which may reflect an innate tendency towards self-sacrifstart.
Conclusion: The Quest for Self-Identity
Reflecting on his personal encounter with Golan, Grozberd recounts their discussion regarding his belief in the physical separation from Palestinians. When Grozberd posed counterarguments regarding the failure of such separations historically, he perceived Golan’s response as lacking conviction. “I sensed a significant rigidity in his thought process. He seemed to be quoting outdated ideologies rather than engaging in fresh, independent analysis,” Grozberd concluded.
In summary, Yair Golan’s political rhetoric appears not only to stem from his complex personality shaped by familial ties and military history but also serves as a battleground for his struggle toward an independent identity-start that continues to evolve through his political career