Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this week proposed far-right and self-proclaimed "racist" Minister May Golan for the position of Israel’s new consul general in New York, replacing Asaf Zamir who had quit the post over political differences, Haaretz reported Thursday.
Golan, 36 years old, confirmed the proposal on Twitter on Thursday. “I am very flattered to be considered for the post of Israel’s consul general in NY," she wrote." I want to assure everyone that if I will be appointed, I will represent 100 percent the mainstream policies of Prime Minister Netanyahu and the Likud party to which I belong. I am completely committed to the unity of the Jewish people, and that is the exact policy that I will follow."
Golan is currently serving as minister without portfolio within the Prime Minister’s office. On April 2, the government decided to appoint her Minister for the Advancement of Women’s Status, in what should become a new ministry in the Netanyahu Cabinet. Still, her appointment pends an approval by the Knesset.
While welcoming the establishment of the new ministry, women advocacy groups had expressed at the time skepticism over the choice of Golan to head it. They said she has never been active for women’s rights, but rather opposed bills aimed at protecting women. In 2021, Golan opposed a bill for storing forensic samples taken from victims of sexual crimes for an unlimited period of time. In March, she opposed a bill that would have domestic abusers carry an electronic tracking system.
