The settlers, as we know, are the only people in Israel who take the Left seriously. When you read the settlers' publications, you think that the leftists are everywhere: The leftists infiltrate the government, the leftists run the Defense Ministry, the leftists dominate the legal establishment, and the leftists control the media, of course.

In this quote, Yair Lapid is commenting on the perception of leftists within Israeli politics, particularly from the perspective of the settlers. He argues that the settlers, a group of Israeli citizens who live in the West Bank, are the only people in Israel who take the Left seriously. According to Lapid, settlers view the leftists as having significant control over key institutions, such as the government, the Defense Ministry, the legal establishment, and the media. This statement highlights the tension between the Right and the Left in Israel, particularly in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The origin of this quote can be traced to Lapid's role as a politician and leader of the Yesh Atid party in Israel. Known for his centrist views, Lapid often comments on the divide between different political factions within Israeli society. In this case, his quote illustrates the polarized nature of Israeli politics, where the Right and Left have starkly different views on issues like the settlements in the West Bank and the broader peace process with the Palestinians.

Lapid’s statement reflects the discontent that many settlers feel toward the Left, believing that their influence is pervasive in Israeli society. The settlers often oppose the policies advocated by the Left, particularly those concerning land concessions or any potential two-state solution. In their eyes, the Left's perceived dominance of key institutions represents a challenge to their interests and ideologies regarding the future of Israel and its territories.

Ultimately, this quote illustrates the ideological divide within Israeli society, with Lapid noting the intensity with which settlers view the Left as an entrenched power in various institutions. It also sheds light on the polarization in Israeli politics, where different factions perceive each other as having outsized influence over the nation's policies, particularly on sensitive issues like security and territorial expansion.