Businessman Roni Mana Criticizes Activist Yoseph Haddad Over Past Remarks

Businessman Roni Mana, a vocal critic of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has publicly challenged activist Yoseph Haddad over past statements made in an interview over five and a half years ago. Mana shared a clip from the interview, originally conducted in Arabic for Al-Arabiya, where Haddad expressed his belief that Arab citizens of Israel should focus on improving their own communities before addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In the interview, Haddad stated that "everything I do is also for the Arab Israeli society" and that once Arab Israelis are integrated into high government positions, "then we can talk about our Palestinian brothers in Gaza and the West Bank." He also voiced support for a two-state solution, envisioning a future where "proud Arab Israelis" are part of decision-making to advance peace.

Mana criticized Haddad's remarks, posting on X that Haddad "was Arab and remained Arab. He is part of them in his soul." Mana accused Haddad and others of changing their positions and becoming "patriots" only recently, suggesting that "the archive does not lie." He also referenced past statements by Netanyahu and Haddad advocating for a Palestinian state, implying hypocrisy among those who now condemn such ideas.

Haddad responded to the controversy, explaining that the interview clip was taken out of context and predated significant events like Operation Guardian of the Walls and the October 7th massacre. He stated that his views on Palestinians shifted after witnessing violence from both Palestinians and nationalistic Arab Israelis during Operation Guardian of the Walls, leading him to believe that peace with them is impossible and that a Palestinian state should not be established. Haddad emphasized that his current actions and his membership in the right-wing "Am Israel" party, which focuses on the issue of immigration from Gaza, demonstrate his true stance.

Haddad asserted that he is threatened by Palestinians who consider him a collaborator and traitor. He reiterated his strong opposition to a Palestinian state, calling it an existential disaster. He vowed to expose the "Palestinian lie" to the world and dismantle the idea of a Palestinian state. Mana, who was once close to the Netanyahu family, also took aim at the Prime Minister, accusing him of exploiting national tragedies to postpone elections.