Pro-Israel Activist Attacked During LA Podcast Debate

Yoseph Haddad, an Arab-Israeli advocate known for his pro-Israel activism, was involved in a physical altercation with an anti-Israel American content creator during a podcast recording in the United States.

The incident occurred during a taping of the Digital Social Hour podcast, where Haddad participated in a debate format that featured rotating speakers presenting opposing viewpoints. During one segment, he faced Dennis Feitosa, an anti-Israel content creator also known as "Def Noodles." The exchange quickly escalated beyond verbal debate.

Let's settle this, this murderer is just sitting here"

During the discussion, Feitosa suddenly stood and approached Haddad in a threatening manner, saying: "Let's go now, let's settle this, this murderer is just sitting and talking here for hours." The American content creator moved closer to Haddad and said: "Get up, I'm right next to you."

After returning to his seat, the two became involved in a physical confrontation over the podcast table. The altercation didn't end in the studio—it continued outside, where Feitosa attempted to attack Haddad again in the parking lot.

"He didn't know who he was dealing with"

Haddad posted an extensive response on his X account describing the incident. "I was attacked by a neo-Nazi in the US, except he didn't know he was dealing with a Golani," wrote the activist, referring to his service in the Golani Brigade, an elite Israeli infantry unit.

"Yesterday I came to participate in a filmed debate against a group of anti-Israelis where the speaker opposite me keeps changing," Haddad explained. "At a certain point, a person who is clearly a neo-Nazi came up against me. Already in the studio he started cursing and turning the debate physical."

According to Haddad, "After the filming, in the parking lot, he managed to attack me from behind, but very quickly he learned a lesson because we don't stay silent in the face of anti-Israeli attacks and he fell on the wrong person."

Feitosa, a Republican who ran in California's 30th Congressional District primary before being eliminated with a small share of the vote, posted his own account disputing Haddad's characterization. He claimed Haddad was the aggressor and challenged him to a formal boxing match. Feitosa has continued to criticize U.S. support for Israel following the incident.

According to reports, no arrests have been made and there are no reports of serious injuries. Emily Schrader, Haddad's fiancee and a pro-Israel activist who was present at the event, also posted about the incident:

For anyone interested in the debate between @YosephHaddad and the groyper loser Dennis Feitosa “Def Noodles”… from nearly the start of the debate, Dennis was cursing screaming, and threatening violence. In fact, Dennis became incredibly frustrated when Yoseph refused to engage physically and said, repeatedly, “I have no interest in fighting you, why would I?”

This footage shows Dennis’ first attempt of 3 to initiate violence. You can see his “debate” skills with the shouting and screaming after he didn’t get his way. He’s clearly had taken lessons from his Palestinian friends

International advocacy and political profile

Yoseph Haddad, a Golan Heights resident and disabled IDF veteran, has been active for years in international advocacy on behalf of Israel. In recent weeks, his name has also emerged in Israeli politics, after polls suggested a party led by him could win five seats in the Knesset, Israel's parliament.

He recently found himself at the center of a political controversy between Gadi Eisenkot and Benjamin Netanyahu, when the head of the Yesher party drew a comparison between him and Mansour Abbas, chairman of Ra'am, an Arab-Israeli political party—a comparison that drew sharp criticism from Haddad himself and other public figures.

The incident at the American podcast illustrates the challenges facing Israeli advocates in the international arena, particularly at a time when attitudes toward Israel in parts of American media and society have become increasingly hostile.