Netanyahu Condemns Gadi Eizenkot's Comparison of Yosef Hadad to Mansour Abbas as 'Terrible'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sharply criticized former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot after Eizenkot compared Israeli Arab spokesperson Yosef Hadad to Mansour Abbas, leader of the Ra'am party. Netanyahu called the comparison "terrible," emphasizing that Hadad is a decorated IDF disabled veteran and a committed advocate for Israel, while Abbas denies Israel's legitimacy and supports Hamas. Netanyahu accused Eizenkot of trying to justify forming a government dependent on Arab parties by equating Hadad with Abbas, stating he would instead form a broad national government with those who recognize Israel as the Jewish nation-state.

Eizenkot had argued that the Likud party's acceptance of Hadad as a Knesset candidate shows Netanyahu's "divide and conquer" approach, excluding 21% of Israel's Arab citizens. Hadad responded by rejecting the comparison, highlighting that aside from their shared Arab identity, he and Abbas have nothing in common. Hadad stressed his commitment to Israeli partnership and condemned Abbas's connections to organizations allegedly funding terrorism. He also distanced himself from Abbas's refusal to label Hamas a terrorist group.

In addition, Hadad expressed opposition to current Arab parties in the Knesset, calling for their boycott due to their anti-Israel stance, not their ethnicity. He also stated he is still considering entering politics but has not made a decision. Another Arab Israeli activist, Ofer Winter, also rejected any association with Abbas and opposed cooperation with Arab parties.

The controversy highlights ongoing tensions within Israeli politics regarding cooperation with Arab parties and the complex identities of Arab Israelis engaged in national discourse.