Avri Gilad: Personal Pain Over Yoseph Haddad's Election Loss

The final results of the 2026 Israeli elections have left several smaller political factions outside the Knesset, including the 'Amcha Yisrael' party, led by Brigadier General (res.) Ofer Winter and prominent pro-Israel activist Yoseph Haddad. In his weekly column for Israel Hayom, veteran broadcaster and journalist Avri Gilad reflected on the election outcome, focusing his critique and sorrow on the political failure of Yoseph Haddad.

Gilad, who has long been a supporter of Haddad’s work, described the loss as a personal blow. He noted that while he had hoped to see Winter in the Knesset, he viewed Haddad as the most significant casualty of the election cycle. Gilad recounted his early professional relationship with Haddad, noting that he hosted the activist for his first-ever media interview. Over the years, Gilad observed Haddad evolve into a highly effective advocate for Israel, utilizing his unique background as an Arab-Christian, a wounded IDF veteran, and a staunch Zionist to counter anti-Israel narratives globally.

According to Gilad, Haddad’s decision to join forces with Winter was a strategic error. He argued that this alliance made Haddad a target for political opponents and the 'poison machine' of political discourse, which scrutinized his past statements to undermine his candidacy. Furthermore, Gilad expressed deep indignation regarding attacks from within the religious-right spectrum, specifically citing comments made by Rabbi Yigal Levinstein, which Gilad characterized as racist for reducing Haddad’s identity solely to his ethnicity despite his contributions to the state.

Gilad revealed that he had previously advised Haddad to pursue a different political path, suggesting the formation of an independent Arab-Zionist party alongside other prominent figures who identify as loyal Israeli citizens. He believes that by attempting to integrate into a broader, more traditional party, Haddad lost the opportunity to lead a movement that could have represented a new, patriotic voice for Israel’s Arab minority. The failure of the party to cross the electoral threshold marks a somber moment for those who hoped to see a shift in the political representation of Arab-Israelis who are deeply committed to the state.