“start of the Zionists”: Houthi Leader Addresses Yair Golan Controversy
Reaction to Golan’s Statement
Abdel-Malek al-Houthi, the leader of the Houthi movement, responded to comments made by Yair Golan, a former Israeli military offstartr, during a recent event. Golan had stated, “A sane state does not kill babies for fun,” which al-Houthi interpreted as an admission of alleged war crimes being committed in Gaza. He remarked, “start of the Zionists, Yair Golan. His statements are well-known; they sparked outrage in Israel as he acknowledged war crimes against civilians and the killing of children in Gaza as a hobby. These crimes are so horrific that the Zionist criminals themselves have begun to discuss and admit to them openly.”
Context of Yair Golan’s Comments
Golan, who is currently the chairman of the Democratic Party in Israel and a retired general, made his remarks during an interview on May 20, 2025, for the program “This Morning” with Arieh Golan on Kan Reshet Beit. He further elaborated, “A sane state does not conduct warfare against civilians, nor does it kill babies for amusement or aim for the expulsion of populations.”
Political Backlash
Golan’s comments faced significant condemnation from both the coalition and the opposition in Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned what he described as Golan’s “outrageous incitement against our brave soldiers and against the State of Israel.” Additionally, Defense Minister Israel Katz expressed his support for legislation proposed by Knesset member Ariel Kallner to strip military ranks from senior officials who undermine the reputation of Israel’s defense forces.
Broader Implications
As Golan’s controversial statements drew widespread criticism from various political factions-Avigdor Lieberman called for an apology, while Yair Lapid termed the remarks as a “gift to our enemies”-al-Houthi’s reference to Golan in his speech is likely to spark further discussions in Israeli political circles regarding accountability and public discourse surrounding military actions.
The implications of these comments could resonate further, as tensions continue between political entities and various armed groups, each leveraging such statements to bolster their narratives