Arab Activist Slams The Squad for Twisting Israel’s History, Fueling Division

Israeli-Arab activist Yoseph Haddad has sharply criticized members of the U.S. congressional group known as The Squad, accusing them of distorting Israel’s history and undermining Arab-Jewish coexistence in the Middle East. Haddad, CEO of Together Vouch for Each Other, a group fostering cultural bridges, told WTFNewsRoom that Representatives like Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib deliberately misrepresent facts about the region.

Haddad’s comments come amid rising tensions following Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack, which sparked a surge in antisemitic incidents across the U.S. and Europe. He identifies three types of anti-Israel protesters: the useful idiots who join causes without understanding them, paid demonstrators switching signs for various rallies, and a dangerous minority of extremists tied to ideologies like the Muslim Brotherhood.

Rejecting claims of Israel as an apartheid state, Haddad contrasts it with South Africa’s segregation, emphasizing Israel’s integrated society. He recounted confronting a protester wearing a Hamas headband, who, unaware of the group’s charter, removed it after Haddad’s explanation. ‘It’s not just in the U.S.,’ he noted, pointing to similar ignorance in Europe.

Haddad argues that slogans like ‘From the river to the sea’ reveal a rejection of coexistence by many Palestinians, challenging the feasibility of a two-state solution. He cites historical evidence, including the Torah and Bible, to affirm the Jewish connection to Israel, while noting the Quran’s frequent references to the ‘sons of Israel.’ He also highlighted the 1947 U.N. Partition Plan, accepted by Jews but rejected by Arabs, leading to conflict.

Reflecting on his family’s history, Haddad shared that his grandfather was among the 156,000 Arabs who stayed in Israel post-1948, shaping his identity as an Arab Israeli. ‘Israel is here to stay,’ he said, urging an end to cycles of violence that harm Palestinians most.