Yosef Haddad Discusses Palestinian Statehood, National Anthem, and Right-Wing Politics

Yosef Haddad, an Arab-Christian figure and the second-ranked candidate for the Am Israel party, appeared on the program 'HaPatriotim' to address recent controversies and his political aspirations. Haddad, who is partnering with Ofer Winter, was questioned about his past remarks concerning the establishment of a Palestinian state and his singing of Israel's national anthem, "Hatikvah." He also discussed his vision for the future as part of the right-wing bloc in the Knesset and his recent interview with Saudi television.

Haddad defended his interview with Saudi TV, describing it as "historic" for providing a platform for an Arab Israeli who expressed pride in his dual identity. He stated that the interview offered a voice from the Arab community refuting claims of Israel being an apartheid state and condemning Hamas as a terrorist organization that targets both Jews and Arabs. Haddad clarified that his reference to a Palestinian state was within the context of a "100-day plan" that had garnered Prime Ministerial support and was seen as promoting dialogue and potentially advancing relations with Saudi Arabia.

Addressing the concept of a Palestinian state, Haddad asserted he was not "held captive by the concept" and that the real adversaries were the Palestinian Authority and Hamas. He recalled warning on Channel 13 four months before October 7th about the heavy price Israel would pay if it failed to stop terror organizations, a statement that drew criticism at the time.

When asked about his stance on Israel as a Jewish state, Haddad affirmed his unequivocal support, stating, "I fight for it." He further argued that without being a Jewish state, it could not be a democratic one, and vice versa. Regarding the national anthem, Haddad mentioned that when asked if he sang it, he confirmed he did, but would substitute "Jewish soul" with "Israeli soul" to connect with the anthem as a non-Jew, emphasizing this was his personal approach and not a request for others to change the lyrics.

Explaining his decision to run with the Am Israel party, Haddad stated that he, Ofer Winter, and others aimed to bring a "new spirit" to the right-wing camp, which he believes is disillusioned with existing parties. He expressed confidence in the party's ability to galvanize a stronger and larger right-wing movement.