Is the Two-State Solution Really Dead? - With Yair Golan

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
03:44 Who is Yair Golan?
06:17 Personal impact of the Yom Kippur War and first Lebanon War
10:24 Transition into politics
13:21 Initial reactions to 10/07
21:32 Reactions to the recent IDF investigation into 10/07
25:40 Connection to Amir Tibon on Oct 7
28:26 Looking back on Hamas’s ambitions, and pre-10/07 in hindsight
33:50 Support for disengagement from Gaza in 2005, evolution of Golan’s views, and possible solutions moving forward
46:46 Why have 70% of Israelis expressed support for Trump’s new vision for Gaza?
51:46 Should Israel resume the war?
55:59 Why do other liberal leaders not hold such staunch views?

The Two-State Solution had been on life support long before October 7. While Hamas’s massacre shattered Israelis from all walks of life, those from the kibbutzim near the Gaza border — many of whom lifelong advocates for a Palestinian State — were among the hardest hit.

Though stark divisions in Israeli society remain, there now seems to be a broad consensus among the people of Israel and their political parties on one conclusion: the two-state solution is all but dead. Yet one Israeli leader - one of the very few who battled terrorists in Southern Israel and rescued Israelis on October 7 - continues to hold out hope.

Yair Golan is a decorated general, former IDF Deputy Chief of Staff and head of the The Israeli Democrats Party. We sat down with General Golan to discuss Israel’s future, the misconceptions that led to October 7, and the unique role he played on that darkest of days.

CREDITS:

ILAN BENATAR - Producer & Editor
MARTIN HUERGO - Editor
YARDENA SCHWARTZ - Executive Editor of Ark Media
GABE SILVERSTEIN - Research Intern
YUVAL SEMO - Music Composer

#IsraelNews #TwoStateSolution #Palestine #War #Gaza

[usbconnections]

Wishing the Palis to become state builders doesn't make them so, and there's no need to patronize them - they say what they want very clearly. Always have.

[jennyroberge]

This sounds like the recipe for the next disaster. Truly an example of the inability to comprehend the true nature of the enemy's ideology.

[MrYishaiShields]

No people have the right to endlessly self determine what kind of terrorist state they want.

[orhutubeli]

In conclusion he's suggesting keeping everything in the same status and offering something that the Palestinians never accepted in the past and would never accept in the future, they don't want you to have security control because it would prevent them from attacking you.

[HagayPeleg-bogp]

Dan's podcast, particularly his interview with Yair Golan, exemplifies the value of open dialogue, a core principle of our Jewish tradition. I admire Dan's ability to host diverse perspectives and encourage meaningful discussion about Israel's future.

Golan's central argument—the choice between separation and annexation—deserves serious consideration. He correctly points out that annexation leads to an untenable situation, making separation the only realistic path.

Golan, a pragmatic security expert, understands the challenges we face. Dismissing his views with labels like "far-left" or through insults prevents productive debate. The assertion that the disengagement caused October 7th ignores the decades of policy choices that contributed to the crisis.

We must learn from October 7th and prioritize listening and critical thinking over partisan rhetoric (which I unfortunentally see in some of the comments).

[kekesam]

I live in Canada, but my heart is in Israel, where my family of 7mln live. I' ve never listened to Mr. Golan before. Now I have, thank you, Dan. I can repeat what I've experienced before: We met our enemy, and this is us.
I am speechless and can't find an explanation for his ideology and why he refuses to listen to the enemy. Well, the name "Left" has become a red flag to me. Sadly. Because I still hold classic liberal values.

[unfinishedgestalt]

Ariel Sharon separated Gaza from Israel. We got 10.7.23
Another separation from Judea and Samaria we won't survive.

[liebaborenstien]

Seriously... Mouthpiece for the left who still haven't received the message after Oct. 7. Lord have mercy

[daverubi]

Dan, your listeners aren't the type that need soundbytes, but they are the type that are busy (and are willing to invest their limited and carefully apportioned free time listening to and learning from your edifying conversations). Please consider dropping the repetitive soundbyte intro.

[yiddes]

The reason the Israeli govt and military echelons would not enter all out war with Hamas and decided on a containment policy was largely because of the massive number of projected casualties of Israeli soldiers. No politician was willing to risk the lives of so many soldiers in the impossible conditions of a war in Gaza. With all due respect to hindsight, only the devastation of October 7 could justify the terrible cost of this war. Soldiers were willing to risk their lives in a just war and Israel was willing to go full force in the destruction of Gaza regardless of global opinion, including US support. Sadly, only the sadistic bloodthirsty barbarism of Hamas on full display was the impetus needed to take our genocidal enemy seriously. Is this a forgivable mistake? Suddenly the left thinks it isn’t, but it is precisely because of the left peace camp that this policy was chosen due to the sensitive nature of global opinion mixed with the Israeli respect for the life of its soldiers. Blaming the right only is pure blindness and revisionism.

[TruthSeekerAll]

They already have 21 other Arab states and only 1 Jewish state there. What madness is this?

[Juljularchaeo]

A general saying that the chain of command can not be trusted is seriously disturbing and says everything about how things function, or not, in Israel.

[AkZeal]

This person is more of the problem then Bibi. He was literally the guy telling Bibi that its his professional assessment Hamas can't attack, and now that it did he's trying to pin 100% of the blame on Bibi and takes zero accountability himself, nor did he change any of his positions.
Actually pathetic

[yiddes]

It’s not a choice of annexation or separation: we need both. Annexation AND separation. Via a final border resolution of the original Palestine Mandate between Israel and Jordan, the two successor states, Arab and Jewish. We do not need a third state, as there is no third people. Separation in the form of, yes, transfer. Just as Israelis agreed to a very difficult and tragic transfer of Israeli settlements out of Gaza, so to the Gaza/West Bank Arabs should do the same in any final agreement.

[Annabelleese]

Not at all clear what Golan means by "separation" and how it differs from what Palestinians would continue calling "occupation."

[danielspivak]

"I can't tell you what hypothetically would've happened if the government did something else, but I can tell you that it's the fault of the government for doing what they did!" - a human that is inexplicably able to get more than just his own vote.

[Rexident]

What is the definition of insanity?

Doing the same mistake over & over again and expecting different results.

I think these guys are the textbook definition and illustrate how otherwise smart nice men can get infected by the two-state-delusion.

[staceyh]

Thank you. Im really glad i found your page to watch.

[Samdabaibeh]

I’m Jordanian and i completely agree with you, it’s not just hamas it’s not just the schools there is a massive problem with the Palestinian society, peace with the Palestinians in the next 50 years is impossible, Palestinians refuse to have peace on an individual level, the average Palestinian hate jews more than he loves his own family.

[rabbiron-amimeyers]

This is an unbelievable interview. All I can say is that I admire Dan Senor for giving Yair Golan a chance to speak, and for continuing to say the same kind of nonsense, in a slightly different package, that led to Oslo and to the Disengagement from Gaza.