Yosef Haddad's Past Aid to Gaza Children and Stance on Gaza's Future Questioned
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
Yosef Haddad, a leading candidate for the right-wing Am Israel party, is under fire for promoting a charity that aided children from Gaza and for stating that Gazans should remain in Gaza. Haddad has denied these claims, calling them a smear campaign and asserting his actions were for Israeli public diplomacy. He stated he never promoted any charity but participated in a report about a humanitarian organization.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Yosef Haddad, a candidate for the Am Israel party, promoted a charity aiding Gaza children before Oct 7.
- Haddad stated Gazans should remain in Gaza, contradicting his party's ideology.
- Haddad called the reports a smear campaign and a distortion of facts.
- He claimed his past actions were part of Israeli public diplomacy efforts.
- Haddad denied promoting any charity, stating he participated in a report about a humanitarian group.
Yosef Haddad, the second-highest-ranking candidate for the right-wing Am Israel party, is facing scrutiny over his past support for a charity that aided children from Gaza and Syria, and his stated views on the future of Gaza residents. Prior to the October 7th attacks, Haddad promoted an Israeli organization that helped children from enemy states, including Gaza, receive medical treatment in Israeli hospitals. This initiative is seen as conflicting with the party's ideology, particularly the concept of voluntary emigration from Gaza.
Furthermore, in a recent interview with Greek media, Haddad expressed that the ultimate solution for Gaza would involve its residents remaining in the territory and living peacefully alongside Israel. This perspective, stated as recently as late 2025, contrasts sharply with the hardline stance of his party chairman, Ofer Vinter.
Haddad has responded to these reports, calling them a smear campaign and a distortion of facts. He asserts that his full interview revealed a right-wing solution involving the occupation and military rule of Gaza and the destruction of Hamas. He also claims his past actions, including promoting the humanitarian organization, were part of his role as a national explainer, aimed at advancing Israeli public diplomacy, similar to Prime Minister Netanyahu's strategic statements.
Regarding the charity, Haddad stated he never promoted any organization but participated in a report for i24NEWS English with the "Save a Child's Heart" foundation, presenting it as an Israeli international humanitarian group saving children with heart conditions globally. He dismissed attempts to portray him as pro-Palestinian as politically motivated and bound to fail.
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