Yoseph Haddad: “My Mother Was Assaulted and Hospitalized for My Support of Israel”

Yoseph Haddad, a prominent Arab-Israeli advocate for Israel, revealed this week that his mother was physically assaulted in a violent altercation with radical Arab individuals targeting his family because of his outspoken support for the Jewish state. In a candid interview on the Hebrew-language podcast Ken ve’Chasuf hosted by Yaniv Katan, Haddad emotionally recounted the attack, which occurred in August 2023, two months before the October 7 Hamas massacre.

According to Haddad, he and 13 members of his extended family were returning to Israel on a flight when they were recognized by hostile individuals from within the Arab community. A confrontation ensued, escalating into a violent scene in which his mother suffered a broken arm.

"They broke my mother’s hand. They attacked her, they attacked my entire family," Haddad said. "It happened in August, two months before October 7. We were on a flight back to Israel, me, my parents, my siblings, their spouses, and nieces and nephews. A group from the extremist minority in our society recognized me and began to harass me. Things escalated, and in the chaos we realized afterward that my mother’s arm had been broken."

Haddad, a Christian Arab who served in the IDF and now dedicates his life to explaining and defending Israel’s position on the global stage, said the attack reflects the growing hostility within parts of the Arab community toward those who dare to publicly support Israel, especially Arabs who do so.

"Voices like mine existed before me," he said, "but they were quickly silenced. The extremists immediately targeted their families and broke them down. That’s why they disappeared."

Despite the traumatic incident, Haddad said the violence only strengthened his resolve. Recalling the moment his father looked at him during the confrontation, Haddad said, "He told me: Be careful not to let them break you. They cannot handle the truth and the facts you are presenting. Son, go forward. We are with you until the end."

The story has struck a nerve among Israelis and diaspora Jews alike, with many praising Haddad’s courage in continuing to speak out despite personal threats and violence. It also serves as a sobering reminder of the risks faced by Arab voices who dare to challenge anti-Israel narratives within their own communities.