Democratic Party candidate attacked IDF general, Golan asked to "calm down": "Learn from my mistakes"
Tensions in the Palestinian village of Qusra led Knesset candidate Nimrod Shafer to call for the dismissal of Central Command chief Avi Bluth. Shafer deleted the tweet, but the Democrats called on candidates to moderate their messaging. And what was the surprising position of the Arab candidate?
Discipline problems in the Democrats' campaign: Party chairman Yair Golan and the campaign team instructed candidates on the Knesset list on Wednesday to "calm down" regarding the publication of reactions, posts, and tweets, especially concerning political issues and events in Judea and Samaria.
"Learn from my mistakes," Golan told the candidates, while hinting at his own slips of the tongue and unsuccessful statements that caused damage.
The directive was issued against the backdrop of a tweet by Major General (res.) Nimrod Shafer, who is placed 11th on the Democrats' list, against Central Command chief Major General Avi Bluth in light of the events in the Palestinian village of Qusra. "Avi Bluth should be removed from his position for failing to fulfill his mission, and the sooner the better," Shafer wrote. After a short time, he deleted the post following internal criticism within the Democrats for violating campaign discipline procedures.
The Democrats party concluded that statements on political issues, such as the issue of a Palestinian state and matters related to Judea and Samaria, are explosive and sometimes cause damage to the party and the official campaign line. During a meeting of the party's 20 candidates at Beit Berl, all candidates were asked to coordinate messages with the entire campaign team, which includes Maya Bengal, Avi Moskal, and Don Karlik, Golan's personal spokesperson.
Candidate Sumia Bashir, who is placed 10th on the list, surprised those present when she expressed her agreement that messages should be moderated and that reactions that could be interpreted as extremist should be avoided. Bashir said regarding the events in the village of Qusra: "I am the most Arab and the most Palestinian among you, and yet we need to calm down." Some of those present were surprised by the moderate tone of the Arab candidate on the list, and she also received praise from several candidates.
In response to ynet regarding the words of Chairman Golan and candidate Bashir, the party stated: "The Democrats' team was invited to Beit Berl as part of the 'I will not be silent because my country has changed its face' campaign. A video filmed there clarifies better than any rumor or interpretation - we will not be silent, the Democrats will fight for a Jewish and democratic state. We will cancel the judicial reform laws, return the army to protecting the borders and not rioters in Judea and Samaria, and ensure that public funds help those who serve and not those who evade service."
