May Golan was born in the Kirya Hospital in central Tel Aviv and raised in South Tel Aviv. From a young age, she engaged in media and public discourse, expressing strong ideological views rooted in nationalist and Zionist traditions. Her early activism focused on advocating for the rights and security of Israeli citizens in South Tel Aviv, particularly in response to the influx of illegal migrants in the area.

In 2013, Golan entered the political arena by joining the Otzma LeYisrael party, a right-wing faction advocating for Israeli security and Jewish identity. She gained national attention through media appearances and the founding of “Hebrew City” (Ha’Ir HaIvrit), an NGO promoting South Tel Aviv residents’ welfare and addressing illegal immigration. She became a prolific writer and commentator, maintaining a widely read blog, “Life According to May,” which chronicled her experiences and activism.

Golan was elected to the Knesset in April 2019 as a member of the Likud party. As a legislator, she developed a reputation as a vocal right-wing figure and branded herself “the mother of the politically incorrect”. Her political platform centered on nationalism, law and order, and opposition to illegal immigration.

In January 2023, Golan was appointed a minister without a portfolio at the Prime Minister’s Office.

In April 2023, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced his intention to appoint Golan as Israel’s consul general in New York, one of the country’s most high-profile diplomatic roles. The decision was met with backlash from segments of the American Jewish community and drew criticism from the U.S. State Department over her past rhetoric. Netanyahu ultimately withdrew the nomination, citing the political controversy it sparked.

Instead, she was appointed Minister for the Advancement of the Status of Women the following month, a newly created position in the 37th government of Israel. As minister, she was tasked with promoting gender equality, combating violence against women, and preventing the exclusion of women from public life. However, her record of voting against legislation perceived to advance women’s safety, including a bill mandating electronic monitoring of domestic abusers and another on the retention of rape kits, prompted criticism from feminist organizations. The portfolio was ultimately unified with that of the Social Affairs Minister in January 2024, rebranded as the ‘Minister of Social Affairs and Women’s Advancement’.

Golan has continued to play a prominent role within Likud and the Knesset. In January 2025, she became the subject of a Channel 12 investigation alleging misuse of public funds and conflict of interest regarding her continued association with the NGO she founded. The report claimed that she had used parliamentary funds earmarked for voter outreach to pay for legal services unrelated to her legislative duties. She also employed close associates in fictitious roles within her ministry. The Attorney General subsequently announced a criminal investigation into the matter.

In September 2025, Israeli police raided the office of Minister for Social Equality and Women’s Empowerment, May Golan, as part of an ongoing fraud investigation. During the operation, investigators also searched the home of one of her aides, where marijuana plants were discovered. The probe pressures the minister’s office amid mounting legal scrutiny and public attention to alleged misconduct within her circle.

Despite the controversies surrounding her tenure, Golan remains a prominent figure on the Israeli political right. She is known for her combative style, social media presence, and advocacy on issues related to nationalism, social equity in southern Tel Aviv, and the Jewish character of the state.

Source: “About May Golan,” maygolan.com.
Ash Obel, “Likud’s May Golan set to become minister for advancement of women’s status,” Times of Israel, (April 2, 2023).
“Netanyahu nixes appointing Golan as New York consul,” JNS, (April 23, 2023).
Eliav Breur, “Minister May Golan used state funds to finance fictitious jobs for friends, TV report finds,” Jerusalem Post, (January 6, 2025).
Itsik Saban, “Police raid minister’s office, marijuana plants found at aide’s home,” Israel Hayom, (September 15, 2025).

Photo: Kfir Ziv (כפיר זיו), הראל הרשקוביץ (עריכה), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.