Am Israel Candidate Yosef Haddad Confronts Critics on Palestinian Statehood, Party's Future
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Yosef Haddad defended past support for a Palestinian state, emphasizing focus on terror groups.
- Haddad urged voters to support Am Israel to ensure a right-wing election victory.
- He questioned why his party is seen as a threat to the right.
- Haddad criticized Arab party leaders for insufficient condemnation of Hamas.
- The interview highlighted Haddad's skill in managing pressure and controlling narratives.
Yosef Haddad, a candidate for the Am Israel party, appeared on the program "The Patriots" to address past statements regarding a Palestinian state and the party's electoral prospects. Instead of defending himself, Haddad turned the interview into a debate on Prime Minister Netanyahu, the conscription of Haredim, and the future of "Am Israel." When confronted by host Yinon Magal and the panel about his previous remarks supporting a Palestinian state, Haddad stated he was never "held captive by a conception" and that his focus was on Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, not the idea of a state itself. He reminded the panel that he had warned four months before October 7th about the need to stop terrorist organizations to avoid a heavy price.
Haddad also deflected questions about other party members supporting a Palestinian state by referencing a former Likud member who was "very beloved" and by posing the question of whether individuals can change their views based on reality. He affirmed his commitment to Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, explaining his personal choice to sing "Hatikvah" with the word "Israeli" instead of "Jewish" as a personal preference, not a demand.
When the discussion shifted to the upcoming elections and polls suggesting Am Israel might not pass the electoral threshold, Haddad urged supporters to strengthen his party to ensure a right-wing victory. He questioned why Am Israel is perceived as a threat to the right while other parties are automatically considered part of the "our bloc." Haddad criticized Arab party leaders, including Mansour Abbas, for not doing enough to condemn Hamas within the Arab community, stating his desire to enter the Knesset to change this reality from within.
The interview concluded with Haddad asserting the Am Israel party's intention to run until the end, questioning the opposition's fear of his party and urging support. The article notes Haddad's skill in public relations and his ability to manage interviews under pressure, effectively controlling the interview's narrative.
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