Yosef Hadad Faces Legal Hurdles for Ministerial Role Amid Criminal Charges

Yosef Hadad, a spokesperson and political candidate for the Amcha Israel party led by Ofer Winter, announced his intention to serve as Minister of Public Diplomacy if elected to the Knesset. However, Hadad is currently under indictment for reckless and negligent use of a firearm, stemming from an incident in July last year. The indictment alleges that during a road dispute with a motorcyclist, Hadad stepped on his licensed gun unnecessarily and fired a shot into the street after the motorcyclist provoked him verbally and spat on his car window. The motorcyclist faces assault charges for spitting.

The offense Hadad is charged with is a misdemeanor punishable by up to three years in prison. Over the past year, Hadad and the prosecution have been negotiating a plea deal, with discussions ongoing about the potential penalty and whether the charge will carry a stigma that could bar him from public office. Hadad has also requested dismissal of the indictment, claiming denial of his right to a hearing, which the prosecution disputes.

Under Israeli Supreme Court precedent, individuals indicted for serious crimes or offenses indicating moral turpitude that could undermine public trust are barred from serving as ministers. While Hadad’s charge does not fall under corruption or integrity offenses, the Attorney General will likely need to assess whether his appointment would harm public confidence. If convicted and sentenced to over three months imprisonment, Hadad would be barred from Knesset membership for seven years unless the Central Elections Committee chair rules otherwise.

The next court hearing is scheduled for early October after the judicial recess, by which time a plea agreement may be reached. The outcome of these legal proceedings will be critical in determining Hadad’s eligibility to serve as a minister or Knesset member.