Feiglin Explains Rejection of Haddad Over Loyalty Question

Moshe Feiglin, chairman of the Zehut Party, has explained his decision not to include public diplomacy activist Yosef Haddad in his party for the 2019 elections. Feiglin stated in a podcast interview that Haddad had approached him about joining Zehut, and he was initially interested. However, Feiglin posed a question to Haddad: "Are you loyal to Israel as a Jewish state or an Israeli state?" According to Feiglin, Haddad responded "Israeli," which led Feiglin to reject him.

Feiglin contrasted Haddad's alleged response with that of former Knesset member Mohammad Amar, who Feiglin claims stated regarding the same question, "I accept that Israel is a Jewish state, and if it is not Jewish, it will not be at all." Feiglin views Christianity and Islam as "colonialist religions," unlike the Druze faith, which he believes accepts national sovereignty.

Feiglin also criticized Brigadier General (res.) Ofer Winter for accepting Haddad into the "Am Israel" party, questioning Winter's religious beliefs and whether he had deeply considered the implications. Feiglin posed a hypothetical question about whether he would be willing to have Haddad as prime minister, suggesting that while possible, it was a question Winter had not adequately addressed.

Yosef Haddad joined the "Am Israel" party led by Ofer Winter in August, taking the second spot on its Knesset list. Haddad, a Golani Brigade veteran injured in the Second Lebanon War, stated his intention to enter politics out of a sense of national mission and responsibility, aiming to strengthen Israel's global public diplomacy and promote partnership among all citizens.