Smotrich's Party Faces Backlash Over Remarks on Non-Jewish Candidates

Internal discussions within the Religious Zionism party have revealed criticism directed at Ofer Winter, a retired brigadier general, and Joseph Haddad, an Arab-Christian Israeli activist, regarding their potential inclusion in a union with the "Am Israel" party. Senior members of the Religious Zionism party, led by Bezalel Smotrich, reportedly expressed reservations about having non-Jewish candidates within their ranks.

A video clip surfaced showing Rabbi Yair Kartman, a member of the party's central committee, stating, "It is very bad if we have non-Jewish candidates in the party. Non-Jewish candidates should be reserved for the Likud." Smotrich himself was heard in the same discussion acknowledging efforts to unite the parties despite what he described as a "disconnect."

Naama Zerbib, another central committee member, urged better public relations efforts to avoid damage control. In response to the revelations, the "Am Israel" party issued a statement condemning the "miserable racist statement" and Smotrich's silence, calling it "silence as admission." They praised Haddad's work in advocating for Israel globally and expressed pride in his affiliation with their party.

This is not the first time Haddad has faced criticism. Last week, Rabbi Shlomo Aviner, a prominent Religious Zionist rabbi, questioned the eligibility of voting for a party with a non-Jewish number two candidate. Winter, who is running with Haddad, strongly defended him, highlighting Haddad's military service and injury in the Second Lebanon War, and drawing parallels to other non-Jewish commanders and soldiers who served with distinction. Haddad, who lost a leg in combat, has dedicated his post-rehabilitation life to pro-Israel advocacy and fostering Arab-Jewish partnership in Israel.