Ya'alon supports general who likened modern Israel to pre-holocaust Germany

Israel’s Defence Minister Moshe Ya’alon on Thursday expressed support for the Israeli army’s Deputy Chief of Staff Yair Golan, who was strongly criticised for appearing to compare Israel to pre-Holocaust Germany in remarks at an annual Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony.

Ya’alon said he has “full confidence” in Golan, adding that the general is a “valued commander, driven by values and many accomplishments”.

“The onslaught against him and the populism towards him in light of an intentionally twisted interpretation to the things he said last night are an additional disconcerting and alarming attempt to politically harm the IDF and its officers,” said Ya’alon.

He added: “Shame on us if we allow this to happen.”

Golan published a clarification following the remarks in which he denied the comparison, saying it would be “absurd and baseless”.