Activist Yoseph Haddad runs for Knesset with People of Israel party — Jerusalem Post
In Israel, Arab-Israeli activist Yoseph Haddad is running for the Knesset as number two on the list of the new right-wing People of Israel party, led by reserve Brigadier General Ofer Winter. The party has endorsed Benjamin Netanyahu for prime minister. According to the Jerusalem Post, polls give the political force about five seats, which is slightly above the electoral threshold.
Haddad said his party could become the surprise of the election. He explained his decision to enter politics by his desire to bring into it the work he has been doing over the past 10 years. The activist founded the nonprofit organization Together Vouch for Each Other, which advocates building ties between Arab society and Israeli society as a whole and finding solutions to the problems of the Arab community.
Partnership instead of coexistence
Haddad, who describes himself as an Arab, a Christian and an Israeli, rejected the term “coexistence” in relations between Jewish and Arab citizens of Israel. In his view, “partnership” is a more accurate concept. As an example, he cited an Arab-Israeli from Rahat who worked as a bus driver at the Supernova music festival on October 7, 2023. According to Haddad, the man helped save more than 30 Israelis.
The candidate also raised the problem of crime in Arab society. He said responsibility for it is shared by the state, Arab community leaders and the community itself. Haddad noted that he generally disagrees with the approach of National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who is responsible for the police.
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Political boundaries and plans
Haddad said his party would not cooperate with the Joint List or the Ra’am party. He expressed the view that the Joint List parties should be barred from the election, and also accused Ra’am leader Mansour Abbas of allegedly voicing different positions in Hebrew and Arabic.
The candidate also criticized the inclusion of former Knesset member Yoav Segalovitz as number two on Ra’am’s list. Haddad said he seeks to win two seats thanks to the votes of Arab voters.
He also said he plans to become public diplomacy minister in the next government and restore this ministry. Haddad wants to hold weekly press conferences in Hebrew, Arabic and English, and also plans to present a program for his first 100 days in office.
