Candidate's Past Support for Palestinian Statehood Sparks Controversy

A controversy has erupted around Yosef Haddad, the second-ranked candidate on Ofer Winter's party list, following the resurfacing of a five-year-old statement in which he expressed support for a two-state solution. Right-wing activists have been demanding Haddad deny these remarks in Arabic, not just Hebrew. Author Hillel Gershuni commented that Haddad's past statements are a "death blow" to Winter's party and should have been uncovered during preliminary vetting. Some social media users responded that Haddad's remarks had resolved their voting decision, while others insisted he must retract his statements.

Haddad addressed the controversy, stating that an edited video from a Saudi television interview over five years ago is being circulated with the false claim that he supports Palestinians and a Palestinian state. He asserted that this is not the first time lies have been spread against him or his party, and that his public work and views, expressed in Hebrew, English, and Arabic, are well-known. He likened the tactic to using an old photo of Netanyahu shaking Arafat's hand to create a false narrative. Haddad also pointed out that in the same interview, he refuted the apartheid lie, identified Iran as the real threat, and labeled Hamas a terrorist organization.

Haddad further explained that his views on a Palestinian state changed during Operation Guardian of the Walls (Shomer Chomaot) when he witnessed the unification of Palestinians with internal Arab elements inciting violence in mixed cities. He believes the events of October 7th solidified this understanding for everyone. He stated that a Palestinian state will not be established and that his party's principles clearly state, "A Palestinian state will not be established on the lands of the Land of Israel." Instead, he affirmed, they will work to return lands to the Land of Israel. Haddad concluded by asserting that those trying to portray him as a Palestinian supporter and an enemy of the state are resorting to low-level spin and lies, noting that he is a primary target for Palestinians who view him as a collaborator and traitor due to his advocacy exposing their falsehoods and asserting Israeli claims to the land.