Israeli-American Activist Yosef Hadad Physically Attacked by Anti-Israel Influencer in US Podcast

Yosef Hadad, an Israeli-American pro-Israel activist and former IDF commander, was physically attacked during a podcast recording in the United States by Dennis Pitoza, an anti-Israel social media influencer. The confrontation occurred during a heated exchange where Pitoza, who lost a Republican primary election in California's 30th district in June 2026, accused Hadad of ordering bombings and attacks on schools during his military service. Despite Pitoza's significant height advantage, Hadad managed to defend himself effectively.

Following the incident, Pitoza posted on X (formerly Twitter) harsh criticisms of Hadad, calling him a former IDF soldier who joked about the victims of military operations. Hadad responded by labeling Pitoza a neo-Nazi who underestimated him, saying, "I was attacked by a neo-Nazi in the US, only he didn’t know he ran into Golanchik."

American pro-Israel influencer Nick Matteo shared video footage of the altercation, highlighting that Pitoza attempted a cowardly attack from behind in a parking lot. Matteo described Pitoza’s behavior as "the most cowardly move possible," showing Pitoza trying to strike Hadad from behind, getting hit in return, and then provocatively asking if Hadad wanted more.

The incident has drawn attention on social media, illustrating the tensions between pro-Israel activists and anti-Israel figures in the US, and showcasing Hadad’s resilience in the face of physical and verbal aggression.