Einav Zangauker, mother of former hostage Matan Zangauker, is accusing Yair Golan of breaking a promise to give her a reserved spot near the top of the Democrats’ Knesset slate.
In a post she published, Zangauker said that the agreement had already been reached in February, but that Golan ultimately decided not to honor it.
“In recent days, I have been flooded with messages of support and also with many questions. We have an incredible people, thanks to whom all the living hostages and the bodies of the deceased hostages were brought home," Zangauker wrote. “These are the people for whom I intend to work in the coming years, to work to fix what is so broken here. Unfortunately, that will not happen from the Knesset, but it will happen in my own way."
She continued, “You deserve answers, and I choose to tell you here what happened. Back in February, when reports began about the expected dissolution of the Knesset, I met, at his request, with Yair Golan. At that meeting, I was offered a reserved spot near the top of the slate, immediately after the incumbent Knesset members."
Zangauker said that after considering the matter, she decided to accept the offer: “After thinking and deliberating over whether this was the right step for me, I gave Yair a positive answer, and the reserved spot was agreed upon between us."
According to her, she was asked from that point onward to keep the matter secret: “From that moment, I was asked to keep it secret, and since then Golan’s people made sure to remain in contact with me. Throughout this entire period, the commitment was reaffirmed on several occasions with Yair himself."
“Each time, it was emphasized to me that a word is a word, that the agreement between us remained in effect, and that after the list of candidates was chosen in the primaries, my reserved spot near the top of the slate would be announced," she added. According to Zangauker, “As part of our agreement, they asked me to maintain a lower media profile during the period leading up to the announcement."
Zangauker claimed that she relied on the agreement and therefore did not explore other political possibilities: “Of course, I upheld my commitment and kept our agreement confidential, lowered my profile and did not explore other options, such as participating in the primaries, nor did I pursue other possibilities. I fulfilled my side of the agreement."
“Unfortunately, and as has been reported, Golan decided otherwise. That is the whole story," she wrote. “This episode is over and already behind me."
Zangauker went on to make clear that she intends to continue her public activities even outside the Knesset.
“I promised, and I will keep my promise: I intend to repay the enormous debt I owe to the people of Israel and do everything I can to make things better here."
“In the weeks remaining until the elections, we must ensure that the government responsible for the failure does not succeed in its scheme to make people forget and erase the massacre, the abandonment, and the total failure for which it bears responsibility on every front!" she wrote. “Together, we will rebuild a country in which the proper order is restored: equality in rights, obligations and opportunities. For all of us."
Zangauker added, “In such a country, genuine unity will be possible. In such a country, it will be possible to create a genuine bridge to mend the terrible divisions that have been created here. Immediately after the elections, we will work toward repair, unity and healing Israeli society."
“Every morning, my children and I choose rehabilitation and healing anew. When I look at them, I see before my eyes the full lives that we got back," she wrote. “Not for one second do I forget the masses in the streets who made that happen. Not for one second do I forget the families who did not get to experience those moments."
Zangauker concluded the post by declaring that she would continue her public activities: “I will continue to make my voice heard, clearly and unequivocally, for the sake of repairing the country. I need all of you with me."
Golan responded: “Einav, you are dear to my heart. I greatly appreciate and cherish you - the courage, determination and strength with which you led a struggle that saved lives. I know my decision disappointed you, and I am deeply sorry for that. It was my decision, and I take full responsibility for it and for the pain it caused you."
He explained: “I decided not to exercise my right to reserve slots on the slate, out of respect for the decision of the 113,000 members of the Democrats and out of confidence in the excellent slate they chose. This was a decision I made regarding the slate as a whole, and other candidates who had been considered for reserved spots received the same message from me: There will be no reserved slots."
Golan concluded: “But I hope our path together has not ended. We still have a major struggle ahead of us over the character and future of this country - to establish a state commission of inquiry, replace the government responsible for the failure, and rehabilitate Israel. I offered you a significant role in the campaign and the opportunity to continue working with us after the elections as well. That offer still stands. I see you as an important partner on this path, and I hope you choose to accept it and that we will still accomplish much together."