Democrats party leader Yair Golan said that the IDF's assassination of former Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was a "mistake," during an interview with Yediot Ahronot and i24 News commentator Yossi Yehoshua at the Rishon Lezion Cultural Center on Friday.
Golan clarified that his opinion was not based on Khamenei deserving his fate, but rather "because it (the assassination) didn't serve the interests of the State of Israel," with N12 News quoting the Democrats leader as saying it removed Iran's "veteran leadership," resulting in the strengthening of "even more extreme and violent elements."
"When you have an elderly and veteran leader, there is certainly an advantage in that," he said. "Of course, he was already 86 years old."
According to N12, Golan further explained his position as based on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "selling" the United States "illusions about toppling the Iranian regime, without any diplomatic strategy," as opposed to "spearheading a regional diplomatic initiative to ensure Israel's security."
Khamenei was killed by an IAF strike on his Tehran bunker on February 28, 2026, at the start of Israel's Operation Roaring Lion against Iran. He was succeeded by his son, Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.
Golan: Every 18-year-old in Israel must serve country for one year minimum
Turning to the issue of haredi (ultra-Orthodox) enlistment, Golan said the "clear goal" was for every 18-year-old to "serve the state" for at least one year.
"I think this will build a more integrated society," he said, describing himself as a "realistic person."
He added that the way to achieve this goal was to "sit and talk" about the issue.
"We have the patience, the maturity, the professional responsibility to build a real process and not a fake one," said Golan.
Shir Perets, Jame Genn, Tobias Holcman, and Idan Kweller contributed to this report.