Einav Zangauker Says Yair Golan Promised Her a Top Spot—Then Backed Out

Einav Zangauker, who became one of the leading voices in the fight to bring the hostages home after her son Matan was abducted to Gaza on October 7, 2023, and released in the most recent hostage deal, revealed Monday details of the talks she held in recent months with Yair Golan, chairman of the Democrats party. According to her, Golan committed to reserving her a realistic, high-ranking place on the party's Knesset slate, but ultimately decided not to follow through on the agreement.

In a post she published, Zangauker described how the talks began: “Back in February, when reports first emerged that the Knesset was expected to dissolve, I met with Yair Golan at his request. At that meeting, I was offered a reserved spot at the top of the list, immediately after the sitting Knesset members. After giving thought to and weighing whether this was the right step for me, I answered Yair in the affirmative, and the reserved spot was agreed upon between us.”

She said it was not a one-time offer: “From that moment on, I was asked to keep it secret, and since then Golan's people made sure to stay in touch 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 our agreement remained in force, and that after the list of candidates was chosen in the primary, my reserved spot at the top of the list would be announced.”

Zangauker further claimed that, as part of the understandings with Golan's team, she was asked to limit her media presence until her joining was announced. In her words, “As part of the agreement between us, I was asked by them to keep a lower media profile during the period leading up to the announcement.”

She explained that she relied on the commitment: “Of course, I upheld my commitment and kept our agreement confidential, kept a low profile, and did not explore other options, such as taking part in the primary, nor did I pursue other possibilities. I fulfilled my side of the agreement.”

But after the primary election, she said, it became clear that the reserved spot they had agreed on would not happen: “Unfortunately, and as was reported, Golan decided otherwise. That is the whole story. This episode is over and already behind me.”

Zangauker added that she intends to continue her public work: “Unfortunately, it will not happen from the Knesset, but it will happen in my own way,” she wrote, adding: “I promised, and I will keep that promise: I intend to repay my enormous debt to the people of Israel and do everything so that things will be better here.”

Golan responded to her claims in a post of his own: “Einav, you are dear to my heart. I deeply 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 sorry for that from the bottom of my heart. It was my decision, and I bear full responsibility for it and for the pain it caused you.”

According to him, the decision stemmed from his choice not to use his right to reserve spots at all: “I decided not to use my right to reserve spots, out of respect for the decision of the 113,000 members of the Democrats and out of trust in the excellent list they chose. This was a decision I made regarding the entire list, and other candidates who were considered for reserved spots received the same message from me: There will be no reserved spots.”

The Democrats chairman added that he still wants Zangauker involved in the party's work: “I offered you a meaningful role in the campaign and to continue working with us after the election 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 do much together.”