Channel 14 Editor Slams Likud, Smotrich Over Treatment of Joseph Haddad

A senior editor at Channel 14, Yitzhak Abuchatzira, has published an unusual article criticizing the Likud party and Religious Zionism leader Bezalel Smotrich for their recent treatment of Joseph Haddad. Abuchatzira, the editor of the channel's website, argued that Haddad, an Arab-Israeli advocate for Israel, has been unfairly targeted by right-wing politicians since entering the election race.

Abuchatzira noted that Haddad was previously praised by figures on the right for his pro-Israel advocacy. However, he claims that once Haddad began competing for the same voter base, he became a target of political attacks. The editor recalled that just two months prior, Gadi Eisenkot faced criticism for comparing Haddad to Mansour Abbas. At the time, Eisenkot stated in an interview that Likud would eventually accept Haddad as a Knesset member, despite his Arab identity.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also released a video against Eisenkot at the time, praising Haddad. Abuchatzira also referenced an incident where journalist Ravid Drucker claimed some Jews viewed Haddad as a "pet Arab," which also sparked outrage from those who saw Haddad as a valued advocate. Abuchatzira contends that the shift in treatment occurred not because Haddad changed his stance on Israel, but simply because he became a political rival potentially taking votes.

The article specifically criticized Smotrich for sharing an old video of Haddad expressing support for a Palestinian state. Abuchatzira questioned Smotrich's authority to dismiss Haddad's contributions with a tweet and challenged the Likud party for turning someone they had previously lauded into a political suspect.

Abuchatzira speculated that Haddad's new party, "Am Israel," might make decisions not aligned with right-wing voters, but doubted it would lead to a "Bennett-like" move. He concluded that even if such a scenario occurred, it wouldn't diminish Haddad's past work for Israel.