Israeli Activist Yosef Hadad Clashes Physically With Pro-Palestinian Opponent in Los Angeles Podcast

Israeli-Arab public diplomacy activist Yosef Hadad appeared on the American podcast "Digital Social Hour" in Los Angeles on Monday, where he faced off against 10 pro-Palestinian activists in a "1 versus 10" format. During the debate, Hadad engaged in a heated confrontation with Dennis Pytosa, a far-right activist affiliated with the Republican Party who recently ran unsuccessfully in California's 30th congressional district primaries. The verbal dispute escalated when Pytosa insulted Hadad with terms like "baby killer" and "murderous monster" due to Hadad's service in the Israel Defense Forces.

According to Hadad, Pytosa lost control and initiated physical contact inside the studio, which was meant to host only a verbal debate. After filming ended, Pytosa ambushed Hadad from behind outside the studio, prompting Hadad and his team to retaliate, with Hadad himself throwing punches. Hadad described the attacker as a "neo-Nazi" and said on social media that the aggressor "fell on the wrong guy." He emphasized that anti-Israel activists often resort to physical violence when losing verbal arguments, but they fail even then.

Hadad also criticized other attendees for quickly blaming Israelis for the violence, calling it a typical example of anti-Israel propaganda that attacks Israel fiercely and then plays the victim when Israel defends itself. Hadad, who has been recognized for his public diplomacy efforts including lighting a torch at Israel's Independence Day ceremony, framed the incident as part of a broader pattern of unfair criticism against Israel worldwide.