Yosef Haddad Faces Political Pressure and Legal Hurdles Amid Election Campaign
Arab-Israeli political candidate Yosef Haddad faces intense political pressure and legal hurdles as his defense requests a trial delay due to his election campaign.
Yosef Haddad, a well-known Arab-Israeli public figure and former IDF soldier, has entered the political arena by launching a new party alongside former military secretary Ofer Winter. However, his campaign has faced intense political attacks from all sides, including poor poll numbers and billboards targeting party members, leading to Davidi Ben Zion's withdrawal from the list.
In addition to political struggles, Haddad is now facing legal challenges. The candidate's defense attorney, Efraim Damari, requested to postpone an upcoming court hearing scheduled for Sunday, citing the intense demands of the ongoing election campaign with just twelve days until the vote. Damari also noted that his client is open to court-recommended mediation.
Legal Opposition and Prosecution Response
The postponement request drew sharp opposition from Ramzi Katilat, the attorney representing co-defendant Ibrahim Shorfi. Katilat criticized the attempt to bend legal proceedings for political convenience, demanding the indictment against Shorfi be dismissed. The Tel Aviv District Prosecutor's Office similarly rejected the delay, pointing out the age of the case and previous postponements. Judge Yaron Gat of the Tel Aviv Magistrates' Court is set to issue a decision.
"My client is not asking for immunity or preferential treatment, but merely a brief delay of a few days due to his campaign commitments," stated attorney Efraim Damari.
Background of the Indictment
The criminal case stems from an August 2025 indictment against Haddad for reckless and negligent firearm use following a July 2025 road rage incident in Tel Aviv. According to the charges, an argument escalated after a motorist spat into Haddad's vehicle, prompting the candidate to fire a shot into the street. Shorfi was subsequently indicted for assault, and the legal proceedings have been ongoing for over a year.
