Israel
Knife found near Israeli opposition leader Golan; police deny stabbing attempt occurred
By Jewish Life Staff, . Jewish Life.
A man in his 20s from Jerusalem was arrested near opposition leader Yair Golan at HaMesila Park in Tel Aviv on Tuesday, after police officers escorting Golan spotted what appeared to be a suspicious object beneath the man's coat. When they stopped him, they found a knife. Golan was in the park to encourage voter turnout on Israel's Election Day.
What police say happened
Israel Police issued a statement flatly rejecting the characterization put forward by Golan's party. The suspect was taken to the station for questioning, and police said the investigation was continuing.
What Golan and his party said
The Jerusalem Post reported that Golan's party, the Democrats, described the incident as an attempted stabbing, a claim police denied. Golan responded publicly after the arrest. "Incitement and violence will not deter us," he said, attributing the incident to what he called a "poison machine" operated by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and, in his words, "his Qatari agents." He urged supporters to vote.
Member of Knesset (Israel's parliament) Gilad Kariv, also of the Democrats, posted on X calling the incident "the result of the incitement by Netanyahu and his partners," and drew a comparison to the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.
Security backdrop
The Jerusalem Post reported that Israel Police had previously raised Golan's threat level to four on a scale of six. On the Sunday before the election, the Shin Bet, Israel's internal security agency, announced it would take over responsibility for his protection, with costs covered by the state.
The core dispute, whether this was an attempted attack or a precautionary arrest, remained unresolved as of the reports. Police said their investigation was ongoing.
Sources
1. Knife-wielding man detained after approaching Democrats' Golan during Election Day tour in Tel Aviv, jpost.com
2. Israel Police denies claims of attack on Democrats leader Yair Golan, jns.org