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Flora May Bedra-Golan (Hebrew: פלורה מאי בדרה-גולן; born 3 May 1986)[1] is an Israeli politician who is the Minister for Social Equality and as Minister for Women's Empowerment.[2] She was elected to the Knesset for Likud in the 2022 elections.[3]

Key Information

She was formerly the CEO of the NGO Hebrew City, and also worked as a campaigner against illegal immigration.[4][5][6][7][8]

Biography

[edit]

Flora May Bedra-Golan was born in Tel Aviv,[1] Israel. She is the child of a single Orthodox Jewish mother who immigrated from Iraq as a three-year-old girl as part of Operation Ezra and Nehemiah. She grew up near the old central bus station in South Tel Aviv.[8] As of 2019, she was still living in South Tel Aviv, with her mother, previously on Mount Zion Street and today in Kfar Shalem.[9]

At the age of 9, Golan was interviewed with her mother as part of a Channel One report on poverty in Israel. They were living on social security in a low-class neighborhood in South Tel Aviv.[10] Following the broadcast, May was contacted by Gila Almagor and her Wish Foundation charity. Identified as a child with potential, she was invited to attend Ironi Dalet High School, located in North Tel Aviv, a higher socioeconomic neighborhood.

Political career

[edit]
Golan with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Galant, 23 January 2023

Golan became politically active in 2011, campaigning to raise awareness about the impact of undocumented immigrants from Africa on south Tel Aviv.[11] She became a highly recognisable face in the campaign against the presence of undocumented immigrants in Tel Aviv.[10]

In 2013, she established the organization "Hebrew city", which stood for election to the Tel Aviv city council, but was disqualified for technical reasons.

In the 2013 Israeli legislative election, she was placed at the 10th place candidate for the Otzma Leyisrael party, however the party won no seats due to their failure to pass the election threshold.[5] In the 2015 elections for the 20th Knesset, she was placed 32nd as a candidate for the Likud party, which ultimately went on to receive the highest number of votes.[clarification needed]

In April 2023, prime minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu nominated May Golan as a consul general to New York. This appointment did not come to fruition due to the opposition of elements in the American government about Golan's past statements regarding African refugees in Israel, which were defined as racist.[2]

In October 2024, Golan spoke at a rally advocating for the establishment of Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip. Golan called for the relocation of Palestinians in Gaza, saying that there should be "another Nakba" in retaliation for the October 7 attacks on Israel.[12]

Media appearances

[edit]
May Golan in Jerusalem, 15 June 2021

May Golan has been a frequent guest on political panels on Israeli television and has appeared on international networks, including the BBC, Reuters, Fox News, i24News, and RTVI.

In 2014, she was named one of "66 Israeli Women You Should Know" by Haaretz for Israel's 66th Independence Day.[13] In 2015, she was selected as "Woman of the Year" in the social field by Arutz Sheva (Channel 7).[14]

In July 2022, the social media platform TikTok removed one of her videos about violence in South Tel Aviv, citing incitement to racism.[15]

In January 2025, Golan came under scrutiny for allegedly evading police questioning regarding a 2020 traffic incident in which she was accused of running a red light and injuring a motorcyclist. The incident resurfaced in the media after it was revealed that she had avoided police summons for over six months. Her legal counsel later confirmed she would cooperate with authorities.[16]

In July 2025, during an interview with British broadcaster Piers Morgan, Golan stated that she was aware of the number of Hamas militants killed in Gaza but declined to provide figures, citing "governmental reasons." Her remarks drew public and media criticism for their lack of transparency and sensitivity, particularly in the context of rising civilian casualties.[17]

Controversy

[edit]

Golan has attracted international attention for her vocal support of Donald Trump,[6][7] and incendiary remarks about African immigration to Israel.[2][8] When she was accused of racism at protest rallies in her early days as an activist, she was quoted as saying: “If I’m racist in order to preserve my life, I'm proud to be racist.”[5]

In 2023 at a political rally of the Jewish Power party she reiterated, "If I am racist for wanting to defend my country and for wanting to protect my basic rights and security, then I’m a proud racist."[2]

In 2023, a group of former Israeli ambassadors said they were shocked by the appointment of Golan as Israel's new women's advancement minister, saying that "Golan’s appointment is outrageous as she is a racist and divisive figure, which is the exact opposite from what Israel needs in such a critical place."[2]

In October 2023, Golan stated during an Israeli cabinet meeting that "All of Gaza’s infrastructure must be destroyed to its foundation and their electricity cut off immediately. The war is not against Hamas but against the state of Gaza."[18]

In February 2024, Golan made a speech in the Knesset during the Gaza war, in which she said: "I am personally proud of the ruins of Gaza, and that every baby, even 80 years from now, will tell their grandchildren what the Jews did when they murdered their families, raped them and kidnapped their citizens! Neither a dove nor an olive leaf, only a sword – to cut off Sinwar's head!"[19][20][21]

As Minister for Women's Empowerment (later Minister for Social Equality and Women’s Advancement), Golan received backlash from feminist and women’s advocacy groups. Critics highlighted her voting record opposing key legislation aimed at enhancing gender-based protections—including bills mandating electronic monitoring of domestic violence offenders and standardizing retention of sexual assault evidence kits.[22]

[edit]

In early 2025, Golan became the subject of public and legal scrutiny following a series of investigative reports alleging financial and administrative misconduct.

In February 2025, Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara and State Attorney Amit Aisman authorized a police investigation into Golan after a Channel 12 report alleged that she employed associates and family members in publicly funded roles within her Knesset office and misused parliamentary aides for personal errands, including shopping and chauffeuring her mother.[23]

The report also raised concerns regarding Hebrew City, the nonprofit she formerly led, which reportedly solicited large donations—including $78,000 and $20,000 from the Taiwanese embassy—without filing proper financial disclosures for multiple years.[24]

On 18 July 2025, the Attorney General and State Attorney ordered a full criminal investigation by the National Fraud Investigation Unit into suspicions of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust relating to both her nonprofit activity and public office appointments.[25]

Israeli police "raided" Golan's Jerusalem office on 15 September.[26] The same day, a lawyer close to Golan was arrested, while several of her colleagues were detained.[27]

Golan's mother had been questioned at a police station in Tel Aviv on 18 September, after several days of the police attempting to locate her, though May Golan took her away.[28] She returned the next day and completed the questioning.[29]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

May Golan

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from Grokipedia

May Golan (born 3 May 1986) is an Israeli politician and activist who has served as a member of the for the party since November 2022 and as Minister for and Advancement of the Status of Women since January 2023. Born and residing in , Golan rose to prominence through activism against illegal African in southern neighborhoods, where empirical data shows elevated crime rates and demographic pressures on local residents. She previously directed Bonot Alternativa, a non-profit organization dedicated to preventing through intermarriage by promoting awareness of and heritage. In her ministerial role, Golan has focused on policies advancing women's status and , including initiatives to combat and support vulnerable populations, though her tenure has been marked by allegations of financial misconduct, leading to police investigations in September 2025 for suspected fraud, bribery, and misuse of public funds. Golan's outspoken positions on control, national preservation, and criticism of left-leaning institutions have positioned her as a polarizing figure in Israeli , often drawing accusations of from outlets despite her emphasis on causal factors like unchecked migration's impact on community stability.

Early Life and Background

Family and Upbringing

Flora May Bedra-Golan was born on May 3, 1986, at Kirya Hospital in central , . She was raised by a single Orthodox Jewish mother in the working-class neighborhoods of southern , an area marked by socioeconomic hardship and urban density. Her mother, whose maiden name was Bedra, had immigrated from to as a three-year-old child during , the 1950–1951 airlift of Iraqi Jews. This Mizrahi heritage, rooted in the experiences of Jewish communities displaced from Arab countries, contributed to a family environment emphasizing religious observance and cultural resilience amid 's diverse immigrant fabric. No public details exist regarding her father, underscoring the single-parent household dynamic that defined her early years. Golan's upbringing in South exposed her to firsthand challenges, including rising crime rates and neighborhood transformations from the influx of African migrants starting in the mid-2000s, which strained local resources and altered community demographics. These formative experiences in a vulnerable urban setting, without mention of extended family support in available records, fostered an early awareness of social preservation and identity in a multi-ethnic context.

Education and Early Influences

May Golan completed her in , obtaining high school without pursuing higher education. Raised in the working-class neighborhoods of South , she attended Ironi Dalet High School in the more affluent northern part of the city after being selected for her potential as a child. From an early age, Golan expressed ideological positions grounded in nationalist and Zionist principles, which shaped her commitment to the preservation of Jewish statehood and cultural continuity. This foundation, drawn from traditional Israeli civic emphasizing historical and security imperatives, informed her transition into public discourse on demographic and societal challenges facing the country.

Activism and Pre-Political Activities

Campaign Against Illegal Immigration

In the early , May Golan became a leading activist against the unauthorized entry of African migrants, whom Israeli authorities classified as infiltrators, primarily from and , into southern neighborhoods. By 2013, approximately 60,000 such individuals had entered irregularly since 2005, concentrating in areas like Hatikva and Shapira, straining local infrastructure and services. Golan founded and served as CEO of Hebrew City, a dedicated to advocating for their removal through legal and policy measures, emphasizing the preservation of Israel's Jewish demographic majority and urban livability. Golan organized protests and public campaigns highlighting empirical impacts, including elevated local crime rates and welfare burdens in affected communities. Police data from 2018 recorded 543 violent offenses and 402 property crimes attributed to Eritrean and Sudanese nationals, amid a population of roughly 37,000 such migrants, contributing to resident complaints of increased assaults, , and open in south . She criticized government allocations, such as the 2015 decision to fund kindergartens for infiltrators' children, arguing it unfairly taxed Israeli citizens without reciprocal contributions, as many migrants worked informally and evaded full fiscal obligations. Collaborating with Likud-aligned activists and residents, Golan's efforts amplified calls for enforcement, influencing policies like the construction of the Holot detention facility in 2013 to deter further influxes. Golan contended that the majority constituted economic migrants rather than genuine , citing migration patterns dominated by able-bodied young men seeking employment opportunities rather than fleeing immediate persecution, with unverifiable identities posing security risks from conflict zones. Eritrean and Sudanese entrants often lacked documentation, complicating asylum vetting, while Israel's policy toward war-torn origins stalled mass returns until demographic pressures prompted action. Her advocacy debunked expansive claims by pointing to labor market distortions, where infiltrators undercut wages in and without integrating culturally or legally. Through sustained pressure, Golan's campaigns contributed to initiatives, including voluntary exit programs offering stipends that facilitated the departure of over 20,000 Africans by 2018, alongside third-country agreements with and . These measures, backed by her for expulsion , reduced the infiltrator and reinforced fencing that halted new arrivals post-2013.

Leadership of Hebrew City

As CEO of Hebrew City, an NGO she founded in the early 2010s, May Golan led efforts to preserve the Jewish demographic and cultural character of south neighborhoods amid an influx of approximately 60,000 illegal migrants from between and , primarily Sudanese and who concentrated in areas like Neve Sha'anan and Hatikva. The organization's initiatives included public advocacy campaigns, protests against unchecked infiltration, and legal petitions challenging the presence of unintegrated migrants, arguing that such demographic shifts undermined social cohesion by fostering parallel communities with low assimilation rates—evidenced by police data showing African asylum seekers comprising a disproportionate share of arrests for offenses and burglaries in the area, where crime rates, including a 53% rise in sexual assaults in , correlated with migrant concentrations reaching 70% in some districts. Hebrew City's programs emphasized community revitalization through social activities promoting and Jewish heritage, alongside pressure on municipal authorities for enhanced policing and infrastructure to counter neighborhood deterioration, such as rising home invasions and assaults that displaced long-term Jewish residents. Golan's leadership amplified calls for , contributing to shifts like the 2017 agreement facilitating voluntary departures of tens of thousands of infiltrators, though implementation faced judicial hurdles. These efforts highlighted causal links between failed integration—marked by persistent above 80% among migrants and minimal cultural adaptation—and eroded trust in state institutions, as Jewish families reported heightened and property devaluation in formerly homogeneous areas. The NGO's advocacy extended to influencing Knesset debates on infiltration laws, including amendments enabling detention centers, which temporarily reduced new entries by over 99% post-2012 but did not resolve existing populations. Despite criticisms from groups labeling the work xenophobic, Hebrew City's focus yielded tangible outcomes like increased media scrutiny on south Tel Aviv's transformation into migrant enclaves, prompting government allocations for relocation and enforcement that partially restored security in targeted zones by the late .

Political Career

Election to the Knesset

May Golan secured her position on the party list for the March 23, through selection by the party's central institutions, as no primaries were held. She was placed at number 30 on the slate, reflecting her rising profile as an activist advocating strict measures against . received approximately 1,039,000 votes, or 24.3% of the total, translating to exactly 30 seats in the 120-member , which allowed Golan to enter parliament as a first-term member of the 24th . Golan's campaign integrated her pre-political work combating demographic changes in urban areas like south with 's platform on and sovereignty, appealing to voters prioritizing hardline stances on infiltration and . This alignment contributed to her viability on the list amid a fragmented electorate where right-wing parties collectively garnered significant support, though no bloc achieved a governing immediately. stood at 67.7%, with drawing strength from peripheral regions and cities facing integration challenges. Following the election, Golan joined 's opposition efforts against the Bennett-Lapid coalition, securing assignments on key committees including the House Committee and the Special Committee for Transparency and Integrity in Public Service, underscoring her transition from outsider activist to legislative participant. Her entry exemplified 's incorporation of figures to bolster its base amid repeated elections, positioning her for re-election in the subsequent 2022 vote where expanded to 32 seats.

Ministerial Appointments and Roles

In January 2023, following the formation of Benjamin Netanyahu's thirty-seventh government after the November 2022 elections, May Golan was appointed as a in the Prime Minister's Office, expanding the cabinet to 32 members. This role positioned her within the executive branch to address social issues amid coalition negotiations. On May 1, 2023, Golan was officially appointed as Israel's first Minister for the Advancement of the Status of Women, a newly created position aimed at combating , promoting , and addressing through administrative and legislative measures. In this capacity, she oversaw initiatives to support , including advocacy for victims of the October 7, 2023, attacks by directing ministry resources toward rehabilitation programs. The women's advancement portfolio was short-lived as a standalone ministry; on January 22, 2024, the approved Golan's appointment as Minister for Social Equality, merging women's status advancement into the expanded role and abolishing the separate entity. Under this combined authority, she managed a that included requests for additional allocations, such as a NIS 66 million transfer in March 2025 to bolster social programs. In April 2025, Golan redirected tens of millions of shekels originally earmarked for Arab sector plans to alternative initiatives within the ministry, prioritizing other needs. Golan's tenure involved pushing for enhanced funding in efforts, including a proposed decision in October 2025 to allocate 2.5 billion shekels across ministries for combating Arab-Israeli , emphasizing administrative coordination for security-linked social programs. These actions focused on practical implementation, such as resource reallocation to address disparities in vulnerable populations while integrating with broader equality objectives.

Policy Positions and Initiatives

Stances on Immigration and Demographic Preservation

May Golan has consistently advocated for stringent controls on non-Jewish immigration to , emphasizing the need to safeguard the country's Jewish demographic majority and against what she describes as the threats posed by illegal African migrants, whom she terms "infiltrators." Drawing from her experiences in south , where an estimated 90% of Israel's approximately 25,000-30,000 Sudanese and Eritrean migrants resided as of the mid-2010s, Golan argues that these entrants are primarily economic opportunists rather than genuine refugees, straining public resources and exacerbating local social tensions due to poor integration outcomes. She has highlighted instances of , such as the 2023 riots involving Eritrean groups in her neighborhood, which prompted government allocations of over NIS 30 million for enforcement and deterrence measures against such populations. In defending her positions, Golan frames her prioritization of Israeli citizens—particularly —as a pragmatic expression of national , contrasting it with what she views as misguided universalist approaches that undermine state sovereignty. She has publicly stated pride in policies that favor her own people over infiltrators, asserting that unchecked influxes lead to welfare burdens and elevated localized , including hundreds of annual arrests for violent and offenses among Eritrean and Sudanese migrants, as documented in police reports from 2018 onward. While aggregate national data sometimes indicate lower rates for these groups overall, Golan points to disproportionate impacts in migrant-heavy areas like south , where failed assimilation manifests in cultural clashes and economic competition for low-wage jobs, justifying her rejection of multicultural dilution in a Jewish-majority state. Among her key policy proposals, Golan supports mass deportations of illegal migrants, echoing earlier government initiatives like the 2018 plan under Netanyahu to remove tens of thousands, which she endorsed through her activism with the Hebrew City NGO. She also backs expansions of Israel's southern border barriers, citing empirical evidence from the 235-kilometer fence completed in 2013, which reduced annual illegal crossings from over 16,000 in 2012 to fewer than 50 by 2014—a near-99% decline that demonstrates the efficacy of physical deterrents in preserving demographic stability without relying on unproven integration models. These measures, in her view, align with Israel's foundational , which facilitates Jewish immigration while curtailing non-Jewish entries to maintain the state's ethnic and national character amid regional pressures.

Views on National Security and Arab Integration

Golan has emphasized that requires addressing internal threats from communities, particularly clan-based and crime, which she links to inadequate enforcement and unconditional . She argues that pouring funds into sectors without reciprocity enables criminal elements and undermines Israeli , prioritizing empirical data on rates—such as reports documenting over 200 homicides annually in communities, often tied to clan feuds—over ideological equity demands. In April 2025, as Minister of , diverted tens of millions of shekels earmarked for to alternative ministry programs, rejecting the plan amid ongoing clan violence and asserting that such funds risk bolstering radicals rather than fostering integration. This decision drew criticism from leaders, who warned of heightened tensions, but maintained it reflected causal realism: development without law enforcement perpetuates insecurity, as evidenced by persistent riots and attacks during prior Gaza conflicts. Complementing her critiques, Golan supports targeted integration for demonstrating and compliance, including a 750 million ($202 million) initiative launched in to enforce Hebrew proficiency among Arabic-speaking students, aiming to break isolation and enable workforce participation. She has tied such measures to reduced radicalism, noting that employment gains—evidenced by rising Arab participation rates in Israel's labor market under enforced integration—correlate with lower , per ministry data on program outcomes. In October 2025, Golan pushed to allocate 2.5 billion shekels to Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's efforts against Arab crime, framing enforcement as prerequisite for any societal investment and conditional aid, grounded in polls revealing divided Arab sentiments—such as 2023 surveys showing 40-50% sympathy for among Arab Israelis—necessitating safeguards like loyalty vetting over blanket funding.

Positions on Gaza Conflict and Post-October 7 Policies

Following the Hamas-led attack on , 2023, which killed approximately 1,200 Israelis and resulted in over 250 hostages taken to Gaza, May Golan advocated for the complete elimination of as a military and governing force. She stated that must "eliminate every terrorist of " to prevent future threats, emphasizing that partial measures would fail to achieve security. This position aligned with her broader call for "total victory" over , rejecting negotiated ceasefires that preserve the group's infrastructure, as evidenced by her insistence on prioritizing the destruction of terror networks over humanitarian pauses. Golan expressed pride in the ' (IDF) operational achievements in Gaza, including the systematic dismantling of 's rocket-launching capabilities and tunnel networks. In a February 19, 2024, Knesset debate, she declared, "I am personally proud of the ruins of Gaza," arguing that such destruction serves as a deterrent, ensuring that "every baby, even 80 years from now, will tell their grandchildren what the Jews did" to enemies. IDF operations post-October 7 have reduced rocket fire from Gaza by over 95% compared to pre-war levels, with fewer than 100 launches per month in late 2024 versus thousands annually prior, correlating with the elimination of an estimated 17,000 and allied militants. She attributed this success to aggressive ground incursions, which destroyed much of 's subterranean arsenal—previously used to fire over 12,000 rockets at since the 2005 disengagement. Golan rejected resettlement compromises or withdrawals, advocating permanent Israeli control over parts or all of Gaza to enforce deterrence, stating that "conquering land" and "taking territory" from adversaries inflicts the most effective strategic damage. This stance draws on the empirical failure of the 2005 Gaza disengagement, which enabled Hamas's 2007 takeover and subsequent militarization, leading to repeated escalations rather than peace. She argued that historical concessions, absent sustained Israeli presence, causally enable terrorist rebuilding, as seen in Gaza's transformation into a launchpad for attacks. Critics, including international groups, have condemned Golan's rhetoric as dehumanizing and contributing to excessive civilian harm, citing Gaza's reported 42,000 deaths per the Hamas-controlled health ministry. However, Golan and Israeli officials counter that the IDF's combatant-to-civilian casualty ratio—approximately 1:1, with over 17,000 militants killed—represents unprecedented precision in against an enemy embedding forces in civilian areas, far below historical norms of 9:1. The health ministry's figures, which do not distinguish combatants and include pre-war deaths, have been critiqued for reliability by independent analysts due to Hamas's control and incentives to inflate numbers for . Golan maintained that long-term Israeli security demands prioritizing threat elimination over short-term humanitarian optics, as post-2005 directly enabled the assault.

Public Engagements and Statements

Media Appearances and Interviews

Golan appeared on on July 1, 2025, defending Israel's Gaza operations amid pointed questions on civilian casualties and proposals for Gazan relocation. She rejected Morgan's characterization of transfer advocacy as , asserting it stemmed from security imperatives against infiltration rather than demographic erasure, and challenged the host on the absence of Palestinian outrage over hostages held by militants. Golan countered queries about her prior statements, such as a 2023 remark dismissing concern for Gaza, by contextualizing them within the existential threats posed by 's and actions, emphasizing verifiable intelligence on casualties over unverified aid agency figures. In domestic media, Golan engaged in televised debates on security threats from border infiltrations, appearing on ILTV's IsraeliFrienemies series as early as to argue against unchecked migration waves. She cited specific data on illegal entries—such as thousands of African asylum seekers straining southern communities—and their correlations with rates, framing responses as pragmatic deterrence rather than ideological . These appearances showcased her reliance on infiltration statistics from Interior Ministry reports, contrasting with opponents' appeals to humanitarian abstractions. Her media presence evolved from activist-era confrontations, marked by direct challenges to media narratives on demographic risks, to ministerial engagements requiring diplomatic nuance. This transition faced scrutiny during her April 2023 nomination as Israel's Consul General in New York, which prompted U.S. media coverage of her past anti-infiltration rhetoric; the appointment was rescinded after backlash from Jewish organizations citing potential diplomatic friction, underscoring the limits of her unfiltered style in international forums.

Key Speeches and Public Declarations

In a 2012 public statement amid activism against unauthorized African migration to , Golan declared, "We're racist because we want to preserve our lives and our sanity. So I'm proud to be a racist! And it's our right to be racist!" She framed this as a defense of 's Jewish demographic majority and cultural continuity, arguing that unchecked influxes threatened national sovereignty and social cohesion, a position she maintained despite portrayals in left-leaning outlets like as overt bigotry rather than pragmatic self-preservation. During a Knesset debate on February 19, 2024, Golan addressed the ongoing Gaza conflict, stating, "I am personally proud of the ruins in Gaza, and that every baby, even 80 years from now, will tell their grandchildren what the did." She justified the destruction as essential deterrence against aggression, citing the October 7, 2023, attack that killed over 1,200 Israelis and the prior decade's more than 12,000 rockets launched from Gaza toward Israeli civilians, which had necessitated repeated military responses to prevent recurrence. In addresses supporting right-wing legislative pushes, Golan advocated for reforms enhancing national sovereignty, including a May 3, 2020, bill proposing Israeli application of law over the and Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria to secure borders against infiltration and secure demographic stability. Coalition partners, such as figures, endorsed her emphasis on prioritizing Israeli interests over international pressures, aligning with her broader calls for unapologetic enforcement of controls.

Criticisms of Rhetorical Statements

Golan has faced accusations of racism primarily for her remarks on African migrants, whom she terms "infiltrators," arguing they threaten Israel's demographic integrity and public safety in areas like south . In a rally speech, she responded to critics by declaring, "We're racists because we want to preserve our lives and our sanity. So I am proud to be a racist!" Left-leaning outlets and organizations such as the condemned these statements as inflammatory and bigoted, particularly amid her advocacy for deportations. Golan has countered that the label "racist" has lost meaning, emphasizing empirical realities over semantic debates, and pointing to police data indicating disproportionate criminal involvement by African migrants relative to their population size—such as 1,200 criminal cases opened against them in 2011, with half in the district despite comprising under 0.5% of Israel's population. These concerns align with reports of elevated crime rates in south neighborhoods post-influx, including rises in assaults and property crimes correlated with migrant concentrations exceeding 50% in some areas. Regarding the Gaza conflict, Golan's post-October 7, 2023, rhetoric has provoked international condemnation for its perceived . In a February 19, 2024, speech, she expressed, "I am personally proud of the ruins of Gaza, and that every baby, even 80 years from now, will tell their grandchildren what the did," framing the destruction as a deterrent against future . This drew backlash from outlets like and , which portrayed it as celebratory of civilian suffering, though such sources often embed anti-Israel narratives without equivalent scrutiny of 's use of human shields. Golan has defended her position as reflective of causal necessities for Israel's survival, noting that resolute military action has empirically yielded security benefits, including the neutralization of key leaders and infrastructure degradation by mid-2025, which softer rhetoric might have undermined. Within Israel, left-wing factions have critiqued Golan's language as exacerbating divisions and alienating Arab citizens, while right-wing allies praise it as an unfiltered articulation against historical appeasement policies that preceded escalations like October 7. These domestic debates highlight broader media biases, where mainstream outlets amplify detractor claims but underreport validating data on migrant-linked crimes or the strategic efficacy of firm deterrence in conflict zones.

2025 Corruption Probe and Investigations

On September 15, 2025, Israel's national fraud investigations unit raided the offices of Minister May Golan, as part of a probe into suspected , misuse of funds, and fictitious within her ministry. The operation also targeted homes of Golan's associates, resulting in the of a former parliamentary aide, a described as a long-time advisor, on charges including breach of trust and . During the home searches, police discovered marijuana plants at the residence of one advisor, though no direct link to Golan was established. The allegations center on the creation of fictitious positions for Golan's associates in the Social Equality Ministry, enabling illegal salaries and diversion of resources for private purposes, including activities tied to an NGO Golan founded prior to her ministerial role. Investigators suspect misuse of nonprofit donations through fictitious appointments and falsified records, with funds allegedly concealed and redirected, building on earlier watchdog reports from January 2025 highlighting similar irregularities such as false affidavits and associate favoritism. By September 20, 2025, suspicions escalated to include aggravated bribery, with evidence suggesting Golan accepted benefits in exchange for these arrangements. Golan, summoned for questioning on September 15, initially delayed compliance and, on September 18, entered a to remove her mother—who was being questioned as a —citing health concerns, an action police viewed as potential obstruction. She has denied wrongdoing, asserting the probe reflects political targeting amid broader investigations into Netanyahu allies, while maintaining a previously unblemished record absent prior allegations. As of October 2025, Golan remains a under investigation without formal charges, continuing her ministerial duties, including efforts to allocate funds to anti-crime programs despite the ongoing . The case occurs against a backdrop of patterns in Israeli political probes, where high-profile right-wing figures face intensified from units like , as noted in analyses of stalled investigations under shifting security leadership.

Reception and Impact

Achievements in Social Policy

As Minister for since January 2024 and previously for the Advancement of Women's Status from April 2023, Golan has focused initiatives on bolstering personal security to foster equitable social conditions, particularly in communities impacted by and . One key legislative outcome under her oversight was the July 2023 Knesset approval of electronic monitoring for offenders subject to restraining orders, enabling real-time tracking to avert repeat incidents and transforming reactive responses into proactive safeguards. This measure addressed gaps in enforcement, though implementation has seen limited activation, with only 25 cases utilizing the system by mid-2025. In combating broader social disruptions, Golan advanced a major anti-crime strategy in July 2025, allocating roughly 2.8 billion shekels to target organized violence and infiltration-related harms in peripheral and urban distressed areas, including South neighborhoods historically strained by illegal migration. These efforts emphasize aid distribution to affected residents, such as enhanced community welfare services tied to security improvements, aiming to mitigate socioeconomic fallout from unchecked demographic pressures while preserving local cultural cohesion. Golan's portfolio has also supported standardization of evidence kit protocols to streamline forensic handling and improve prosecution rates for trafficking and cases disproportionately affecting vulnerable women in high-risk zones. Complementing this, her ministry established recognition programs, including the 2025 Ministerial Award for Prevention of , honoring organizations that deliver targeted interventions prioritizing victim protection over expansive ideological frameworks. These steps reflect a pragmatic approach to , linking equality gains to tangible reductions in insecurity-driven disparities.

Broader Political Influence

May Golan has played a notable role in amplifying demographic security concerns within Israel's , particularly through her against unauthorized African migration in south neighborhoods like Hatikva. Beginning around , Golan organized protests highlighting the strain on local resources and crime rates associated with Sudanese and Eritrean infiltrators, drawing national attention to issues disproportionately affecting working-class areas. This advocacy contributed to subsequent Likud-led policies, including expanded detention and efforts under Prime Minister , aligning with broader party priorities on preserving Israel's Jewish demographic majority. Her emphasis on these issues has resonated with voters in Israel's periphery—development towns and urban fringes with higher proportions of and lower socioeconomic status—where public support for strict migration controls remains strong. Polls indicate that around 66% of backed deportation policies for African migrants in 2018, with opposition to residency grants nearing 70%, particularly in affected southern neighborhoods. Golan's unfiltered , framing unchecked as an existential threat rather than a humanitarian imperative, counters prevailing left-leaning narratives favoring without stringent loyalty or security preconditions, thereby bolstering Likud's appeal among these demographics during elections like 2022, where the party secured 32 seats. In sustaining hawkish policies, Golan's public statements advocate for territorial control and population transfers, such as her October 2024 call for permanent Israeli occupation of Gaza in response to attacks, positioning her as a voice for unrestrained security realism within the coalition. Moderate right figures within credit her tenacity for reinforcing the party's resistance to concessions on , while left-wing critics dismiss her as emblematic of , often labeling her positions "racist" despite their alignment with majority sentiments on infiltration and conflict deterrence. This polarization underscores her function as a to institutionalized biases in academia and media that prioritize integration over causal risks to national cohesion.

References

  1. https://m.knesset.gov.il/en/mk/pages/MKPersonalDetails.aspx?mkid=1002
  2. https://m.knesset.gov.il/EN/mk/Pages/MKGovRoles.aspx?MKID=1002
  3. https://www.jns.org/pushback-against-may-golans-new-york-appointment-was-not-universal/
  4. https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/may-golan
  5. https://main.knesset.gov.il/EN/News/PressReleases/Pages/press26224e.aspx
  6. https://www.timesofisrael.com/police-now-suspect-embattled-minister-golan-of-accepting-bribes-reports/
  7. https://www.jpost.com/tags/may-golan
  8. https://www.haaretz.com/2014-01-23/ty-article/.premium/seeing-red-in-south-tel-aviv/0000017f-e92a-df2c-a1ff-ff7b00080000
  9. https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/israel-africa-migrant-deportation-1.4536580
  10. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/eritrean-and-sudanese-crime-data-released-for-first-time-in-five-years-574525
  11. https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-israels-new-plan-to-deport-africans-details-abound/
  12. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/195966
  13. https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/09/middleeast/israel-african-migrants-intl
  14. https://www.timesofisrael.com/cabinet-allocates-nis-20-million-to-encourage-migrants-to-leave-country/
  15. https://afsi.org/may-golans-important-message/
  16. https://www.timesofisrael.com/south-tel-aviv-is-south-sudan-now/
  17. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10612-022-09681-6
  18. https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2025/07/09/3351154/israel-loses-grip-as-criminal-gangs-rule-southern-tel-aviv
  19. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJ2u6U1Mk-8
  20. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03906701.2020.1724369
  21. https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/2023-04-09/ty-article-opinion/.premium/may-golan-minister-for-rolling-back-the-status-of-women/00000187-6233-dde0-afb7-7e3320a50000
  22. https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/elections/2021-02-03/ty-article/israel-election-2021-all-the-official-party-lists-so-far/0000017f-e1b6-d9aa-afff-f9fed5250000
  23. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/296271
  24. https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/israeli-electoral-history-2021-election-to-the-24th-knesset
  25. https://www.timesofisrael.com/galit-distel-atbaryan-may-golan-appointed-ministers-swelling-cabinet-to-32/
  26. https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-741811
  27. https://www.timesofisrael.com/likuds-may-golan-set-to-become-minister-for-advancement-of-womens-status/
  28. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/flashes/644963
  29. https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/knesset-okays-may-golan-as-social-equality-minister-trashing-short-lived-ministry-for-advancement-of-women/
  30. https://www.acitaskforce.org/resource/2025-israel-state-budget-updates-and-arab-society/
  31. https://www.timesofisrael.com/arab-leaders-decry-likud-ministers-refusal-to-fund-major-community-development-plan/
  32. https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2025-10-18/ty-article/.premium/likud-minister-suspected-of-crimes-seeks-to-oversee-arab-israeli-crime-fighting-program/00000199-f45e-d54a-abfb-f5de83a60000
  33. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/383943
  34. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-758407
  35. https://www.npr.org/2018/04/03/599240785/israels-prime-minister-decides-thousands-of-african-migrants-must-leave-country
  36. https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2017/feb/13/ron-johnson/border-fence-israel-cut-illegal-immigration-99-per/
  37. https://www.jns.org/israel-spending-202-million-on-improving-arabs-hebrew-skills/
  38. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLmKWMioVzV/
  39. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-845703
  40. https://www.newarab.com/news/israeli-minister-may-golan-proud-gazas-destruction
  41. https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2024/01/unprecedented-calm-along-border-amidst-reduction-in-rocket-fire-from-gaza.php
  42. https://www.fdd.org/analysis/op_eds/2024/02/09/detect-and-destroy-the-idf-unit-protecting-israel-from-rockets/
  43. https://thestrategybridge.org/the-bridge/2018/5/16/are-israeli-operations-against-gaza-rockets-productive
  44. https://www.npr.org/2024/10/23/nx-s1-5162278/calls-grow-inside-israels-right-wing-government-for-permanent-occupation-of-gaza
  45. https://www.timesofisrael.com/government-ministers-call-for-new-settlements-in-gaza-at-ultranationalist-conference/
  46. https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/09/12/gaza-netanyahu-israel-hamas-terrorism-withdrawal-anniversary/
  47. https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/remembering-gaza-disengagement-13-years-later-personal-reflections-missed
  48. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/israeli-minister-says-proud-of-gaza-destruction/3144918
  49. https://www.forbes.com/sites/davedeptula/2024/07/31/on-the-ground-in-gaza-what-i-saw-of-israels-military-operations/
  50. https://acleddata.com/brief/middle-east-crisis-year-war-numbers
  51. https://www.palestinechronicle.com/i-am-proud-of-the-ruins-of-gaza-israeli-minister-tells-knesset/
  52. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sV6N9TE_foU
  53. https://twitter.com/PiersUncensored/status/1940351982914482309
  54. https://x.com/mikeeisenberg/status/1940361975080554764
  55. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hri3iciYLts
  56. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxOrYrwQF4E
  57. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71MYscxtXwo
  58. https://www.jns.org/netanyahu-nixes-appointment-of-may-golan-as-new-york-consul/
  59. https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/diplomacy/1682239678-may-golan-won-t-be-appointed-consul-of-israel-in-new-york-report
  60. https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/2023-05-03/ty-article-opinion/.premium/israels-proud-racist-minister-has-a-lot-to-learn-from-the-americans/00000187-e29c-dbac-a7b7-f7bf22e20000
  61. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/apr/20/may-golan-israel-new-york-consular-role
  62. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/279600
  63. https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-04-20/ty-article/.premium/netanyahu-offers-post-of-israels-consul-general-in-new-york-to-proud-racist-may-golan/00000187-9be5-d6e9-a997-9fef96580000
  64. https://mondoweiss.net/2019/05/introducing-israels-lawmaker/
  65. https://www.algemeiner.com/2023/04/21/incredibly-disturbing-adl-calls-on-israel-to-reconsider-new-york-consul-general-nomination/
  66. https://www.jta.org/2023/04/20/politics/may-golan-who-once-identified-as-proud-racist-offered-israels-top-diplomatic-post-in-nyc
  67. https://thecjn.ca/news/sad-state-israels-african-infiltrators/
  68. https://www.trtworld.com/article/17079853
  69. https://www.timesofisrael.com/outrage-as-opposition-party-leader-golan-says-israel-killing-babies-as-a-hobby-in-gaza/
  70. https://www.972mag.com/police-distortion-of-crime-data-encourages-rising-violence-against-refugees/
  71. https://www.timesofisrael.com/lawyer-tied-to-likud-ministers-alleged-financial-crimes-arrested-in-sweeping-police-raid/
  72. https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2025-09-15/ty-article/.premium/police-raid-office-of-likud-minister-may-golan-over-alleged-misuse-of-nonprofit-funds/00000199-4bce-d6e0-a7fb-cfce689e0000
  73. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-867477
  74. https://themedialine.org/headlines/police-raid-minister-may-golans-office-in-jerusalem-arrest-former-aide-in-corruption-probe/
  75. https://www.israelhayom.com/2025/09/15/police-raid-ministers-office-marijuana-plants-found-at-aides-home/
  76. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/israeli-police-raid-home-of-minister-close-to-netanyahu-in-corruption-probe/3688426
  77. https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2025-07-18/ty-article/.premium/likud-minister-suspected-of-misusing-funds-from-nonprofit-she-founded/00000198-1cfe-d3be-a5bc-3efff9930000
  78. https://themedialine.org/headlines/social-equality-minister-faces-allegations-of-fraud-watchdog-urges-investigation/
  79. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/b1tx2mbjgg
  80. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-868136
  81. https://www.timesofisrael.com/minister-at-center-of-graft-probe-said-to-spirit-mom-out-of-police-station-during-grilling/
  82. https://www.israelhayom.com/2025/09/18/israeli-minister-whisked-away-mother-during-questioning-in-corruption-case/
  83. https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2025-10-23/ty-article/.premium/in-netanyahus-israel-the-powerful-stifle-corruption-probes-while-the-corrupt-grow-immune/0000019a-1214-d2fc-a79a-9e56fb180000
  84. https://www.timesofisrael.com/knesset-passes-domestic-abuse-monitoring-law-after-long-delays-and-squabbles/
  85. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bkog5yx00ll
  86. https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2025-07-13/ty-article/.premium/israeli-minister-advances-anti-crime-plan-with-police-unit-investigating-her/00000198-03f0-d947-a7f8-c7fe8a4f0000
  87. https://ch10.co.il/en/news/961483/
  88. https://www.timesofisrael.com/tv-report-accuses-likud-minister-golan-of-nepotism-illegal-fundraising-other-crimes/
  89. https://www.commondreams.org/news/may-golan
  90. https://www.israelhayom.com/2018/02/08/66-of-israeli-jews-support-government-policy-to-deport-africans/
  91. https://www.timesofisrael.com/israelis-want-solution-for-african-asylum-seekers-though-few-want-them-to-stay/
  92. https://www.timesofisrael.com/the-kids-are-all-right-wing-why-israels-younger-voters-are-more-conservative/
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