Channel 14 Criticizes Likud and Smotrich Over Treatment of Yosef Haddad

A rare criticism has emerged from Channel 14, an Israeli right-wing media outlet, targeting the Likud party and Minister Bezalel Smotrich. Yitzhak Abuchatzira, editor of the channel's website, published an article accusing them of unfairly targeting Yosef Haddad, an Arab-Israeli activist, since he began his election campaign. Abuchatzira contends that Haddad, once praised for his pro-Israel advocacy, has been transformed into a political opponent by Likud and Smotrich.

The article specifically criticizes Smotrich for sharing an old video of Haddad expressing support for a Palestinian state. Abuchatzira questioned Smotrich's authority to dismiss Haddad's contributions to Israel's public diplomacy, asking what Smotrich himself has done for the cause. He also challenged the Likud party, asking how they could suddenly view someone they recently lauded as a political suspect simply for deciding to run against them.

Abuchatzira also addressed Likud's claims that Haddad and Ofer Vinter, chairman of the "Am Israel" movement, are aligned with Avigdor Lieberman's party, a claim repeatedly denied by "Am Israel." He argued that the shift in attitude towards Haddad occurred only after he became a contender for public votes. Previously, Abuchatzira noted, Haddad was hailed within the national camp as a "hero of Israel" and a "national asset" who proved an Arab could integrate into the national camp.

The article references past controversies, including comments by Gadi Eisenkot, who suggested Likud would endorse Haddad as a Knesset member, and a statement by journalist Re'ev Drucker that Jews viewed Haddad as a "pet Arab." In both instances, Abuchatzira recalled, the focus was on defending Haddad and his work for Israel. He concluded by considering the possibility that "Am Israel" might make decisions not aligned with right-wing voters in the future, but asserted this would not diminish Haddad's past contributions to Israel.