New appointment in Haifa: Politician who refused to label Hamas a terrorist organization joins board

The Haifa City Council approved the appointment of Hadash faction leader Raja Zaatara to the board of directors of the Haifa Economic Corporation on Tuesday. The appointment was first reported by the NWS website. The decision was finalized despite sharp protests and video evidence showing Zaatara refusing to define Hamas and Hezbollah as terrorist organizations.

The Economic Corporation serves as the central arm of the Haifa Municipality for managing and developing high-tech parks and strategic infrastructure. Among its responsibilities, it manages the MATAM park, which hosts the headquarters and R&D centers of Elbit Systems, alongside development complexes for Rafael and Israel Aerospace Industries within the municipal science and high-tech park.

By virtue of his board membership, Zaatara may gain access to business and strategic information, urban development plans, security arrangements, and engagement agreements concerning the activities of companies and industries operating in the city. Political figures and opponents of the appointment warn that this is an "immoral and dangerous appointment," claiming it could create security risks and undermine the trust of defense companies operating in Haifa.

The Haifa Municipality issued the following response:

"Ze'ev Jabotinsky wrote that 'in any cabinet where a Jew serves as prime minister, the deputy prime minister will be an Arab' – so all the more so in a mixed city and a model of coexistence like Haifa, an Arab can be a director in the Economic Corporation."

Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir stated:

"The appointment of Raja Zaatara, someone who refused to define Hamas and Hezbollah as terrorist organizations, to the board of directors of a company entrusted with strategic infrastructure and managing complexes where sensitive defense industries operate – is absolute madness. Anyone who is unable to say that Hamas and Hezbollah are terrorist organizations should not get close to a place where they might be exposed to sensitive information concerning the security of the State of Israel. I call on the mayor of Haifa and the City Council to come to their senses and cancel this dangerous appointment immediately. Israel's security is not a political game."