https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2025-05-13/ty-article-live/palestinians-photojournalist-who-documented-october-7-attacks-killed-in-israeli-airstrike/00000196-c77d-dce0-abfe-ff7df3f20000
U.S.: Gaza Deal or Escalation 'Up to Israel'; Trump Committed to Releasing All Hostages
Opposition party leader Yair Golan at Haaretz conference: 'The right solution is two states for two people, living side by side in peace'
May 13, 2025
Democrats pary chair Yair Golan, at Haaretz conference on Arab politics and society, Tuesday.Credit: Gil Eliahu
At the third Haaretz conference on Arab politics and society on Tuesday, Yair Golan, the chair of the Democrats party, said that the Israeli government is acting with "appalling irresponsibility" regarding war crimes. According to Golan, the Israel Defense Force's fighting in the densely populated Gaza Strip should have ended long ago.
"The IDF ended the effective maneuver, in my opinion, in May-June 2024. Since then, the IDF has been waging a political war with illegitimate political goals," he said. Golan also added that he calls for an immediate end to the fighting, for the release of hostages and the creation of an alternative government in Gaza.
Golan also said that he supports a two-state solution, but said that he does not think it will be initiated in the near future, since "Israel today is a state in trauma."
"My solution is – national separation with increased security responsibility for the State of Israel. We will not be able to convince the Israeli public that risks can be taken regarding its security. A government that won't guarantee this won't survive," he said.
Golan also added that "we must stop the annexation that will be the downfall of the State of Israel. I am a Zionist," he said, "and whoever wants a national home for the Jewish people needs to guarantee a state with a solid Jewish majority. Annexation will kill that," he said. "The right solution is two states for two peoples, living side by side, in peace."
White House special envoy Steve Witkoff arrives to meet families of hostages at the plaza known as the hostages square in Tel Aviv, Israel, Tuesday.Credit: Oded Balilty/AP
U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff has arrived at Hostage Square for a meeting with hostage families, including Ruby and Hagit Chen, parents of Itay Chen, with whom he spoke upon arrival.
As he was walking through a large group of press and family, all anxious to ask him their questions, he spoke very briefly of the strength of the family members of Edan Alexander, who was freed from Hamas captivity on Tuesday, and his happiness that Edan is home with them.
When asked by Haaretz if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated if he's ready to end the war, Witkoff answered: "I think we all want to take a moment to rejoice in what's happened today."
Other family members attending the meeting are: Einav Zangauker, mother of Matan Zangauker, Yehuda Cohen, father of Nimrod Cohen and Ayelet Samerano, mother of Jonathan Samerano.
In the meantime, U.S. Hostage Envoy Adam Boehler, who accompanied Edan Alexander's parents to Israel for the release of their son, has also arrived for the meeting.
He spoke briefly to journalists who asked him many questions about the deal that brought Edan home, for which Israeli officials were not involved.
When asked how he thinks Netanyahu is feeling about being left out of negotiations, he said, "I would imagine as an Israeli, Netanyahu would be happy to welcome someone home who's so happy to be home."
"I think the U.S. is committed to all Americans, and all Israelis here, so we're doing our jobs," Boehler said. "I don't think of it as what Israel didn't do but rather what the U.S. did do."
"The president has said all the hostages, one thing you'll find with this President is that he sticks to all his promises," he said.
"This is a moment for Israel, it was extremely important for Edan Alexander to be put forward, to be released. I think there is hope of change now," Boehler said, adding that reaching a Gaza deal or escalation is "up to Israel."
U.S.: Gaza Deal or Escalation 'Up to Israel'; Trump Committed to Releasing All Hostages
Opposition party leader Yair Golan at Haaretz conference: 'The right solution is two states for two people, living side by side in peace'
May 13, 2025
Democrats pary chair Yair Golan, at Haaretz conference on Arab politics and society, Tuesday.Credit: Gil Eliahu
At the third Haaretz conference on Arab politics and society on Tuesday, Yair Golan, the chair of the Democrats party, said that the Israeli government is acting with "appalling irresponsibility" regarding war crimes. According to Golan, the Israel Defense Force's fighting in the densely populated Gaza Strip should have ended long ago.
"The IDF ended the effective maneuver, in my opinion, in May-June 2024. Since then, the IDF has been waging a political war with illegitimate political goals," he said. Golan also added that he calls for an immediate end to the fighting, for the release of hostages and the creation of an alternative government in Gaza.
Golan also said that he supports a two-state solution, but said that he does not think it will be initiated in the near future, since "Israel today is a state in trauma."
"My solution is – national separation with increased security responsibility for the State of Israel. We will not be able to convince the Israeli public that risks can be taken regarding its security. A government that won't guarantee this won't survive," he said.
Golan also added that "we must stop the annexation that will be the downfall of the State of Israel. I am a Zionist," he said, "and whoever wants a national home for the Jewish people needs to guarantee a state with a solid Jewish majority. Annexation will kill that," he said. "The right solution is two states for two peoples, living side by side, in peace."
White House special envoy Steve Witkoff arrives to meet families of hostages at the plaza known as the hostages square in Tel Aviv, Israel, Tuesday.Credit: Oded Balilty/AP
U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff has arrived at Hostage Square for a meeting with hostage families, including Ruby and Hagit Chen, parents of Itay Chen, with whom he spoke upon arrival.
As he was walking through a large group of press and family, all anxious to ask him their questions, he spoke very briefly of the strength of the family members of Edan Alexander, who was freed from Hamas captivity on Tuesday, and his happiness that Edan is home with them.
When asked by Haaretz if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated if he's ready to end the war, Witkoff answered: "I think we all want to take a moment to rejoice in what's happened today."
Other family members attending the meeting are: Einav Zangauker, mother of Matan Zangauker, Yehuda Cohen, father of Nimrod Cohen and Ayelet Samerano, mother of Jonathan Samerano.
In the meantime, U.S. Hostage Envoy Adam Boehler, who accompanied Edan Alexander's parents to Israel for the release of their son, has also arrived for the meeting.
He spoke briefly to journalists who asked him many questions about the deal that brought Edan home, for which Israeli officials were not involved.
When asked how he thinks Netanyahu is feeling about being left out of negotiations, he said, "I would imagine as an Israeli, Netanyahu would be happy to welcome someone home who's so happy to be home."
"I think the U.S. is committed to all Americans, and all Israelis here, so we're doing our jobs," Boehler said. "I don't think of it as what Israel didn't do but rather what the U.S. did do."
"The president has said all the hostages, one thing you'll find with this President is that he sticks to all his promises," he said.
"This is a moment for Israel, it was extremely important for Edan Alexander to be put forward, to be released. I think there is hope of change now," Boehler said, adding that reaching a Gaza deal or escalation is "up to Israel."