Meretz

Israel Election 2026: What does Yair Golan’s Democrats party stand for?

“If I put this ballot in the box, what government, policies, and political reality am I helping create?”

Yair Golan, chairman of The Democrats party, with party members following the announcement of the results of The Democrats party primaries ahead of the upcoming elections, in Tel Aviv, Israel, July 20, 2026.
(L-R): Yair Golan, Gilad Kariv

No. 47: Yair Golan and Gilad Kariv: Reviving Israel’s fractured Left

Yair Golan, chairman of The Democrats party, with party members following the announcement of the results of The Democrats party primaries ahead of the upcoming elections, in Tel Aviv, Israel, July 20, 2026.

Yair Golan's Democrats list for the Knesset cements Labor's shift to the far Left - opinion

Leader of the Democrats party Yair Golan leads a faction meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on June 15, 2026.

Democrats Party breaks record of 75,000 members, sets date for primaries ahead of elections


Head of Rabbis for Human Rights Avi Dabush to run in Democrats Party primaries

The left-wing Democrats Party is composed of the Labor and Meretz parties, which merged in 2024. Dabush is expected to run for one of the reserved Meretz slots on the party’s list.

AVI DABUSH (left) sits alongside Democrats Party leader Yair Golan and MK Naama Lazimi  (Democrats).

Former Labor Party member Avi Shaked announces new Jewish-Arab party

The statement said that the party “calls for strengthening Arab society to build a better shared future in Israel."

 Businessman and former Labor Party member Avi Shaked, who announced the formation of a new Jewish-Arab party.

Netanyahu a 'whiner and coward' for incitement complaints, Lapid says

"If we do not hit the streets with force, together and now, the abandonment of our brothers and sisters will continue."

 Yair Lapid speaking on the 15th of July 2024, before the Knesset goes on reccess.

With an overwhelming majority, Meretz and Labor approve merge, becoming the Democrats

The Labor Party conference approved a merger with Meretz, strengthening Yair Golan’s control. Despite criticism, the agreement passed with an overwhelming majority.

 Yair Golan facing the crowd before his speech following the vote to merge Meretz and Labor parties

Labor, Meretz delegates to approve merger in Tel Aviv convention

The chairman of the new party, Yair Golan, is reportedly considering former justice and foreign minister Tzipi Livni as the number two spot in the party.

 Labor and Meretz parties reach a merger agreement, June 30, 2024.

Meretz, Labor Party sign agreement to merge parties under new party name 'The Democrats'

The parties noted that the move was historic as it was not a technical bloc, but rather the formation of one large and united party.

 Labor and Meretz parties reach a merger agreement, June 30, 2024.

If the Left wants a fighting chance in the next elections, they must unite - editorial

If there is anything the Israeli Left struggles to do, it is to unite behind a single leader. If they wish to succeed, Golan might be that person.

 Labor leader Yair Golan poses next to a photo of former prime minister Yitzhak Rabin, June 17, 2024

Israeli parties should follow Labor’s example and set primaries for new leaders - editorial

The Labor Party's primary race saw Yair Golan elected leader with 95.15% of the vote, pledging to unite left-wing parties and strengthen Israeli democracy.

 Former Meretz MK Yair Golan

N13 poll: Next PM is toss up between Gantz or Bennett

A News 13 poll indicates National Unity Party led by Benny Gantz wins 30 seats if elections held today. Likud strengthens slightly; Yesh Atid receives 15 seats.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) meets with Israeli War Cabinet member Benny Gantz at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., March 5, 2024.

'A strong Zionist alternative': Yair Golan announces new political camp

“I am founding a democratic, free, broad-based party, to present a strong, straightforward, Zionist alternative to this corrupt and messianist government," he said in a video posted to X.

 Yair Golan, former IDF deputy chief of staff, announces the creation of a new political camp in a video posted to X, March 18, 2024.