The Haifa City Council approved Tuesday night, July 7, the appointment of Att. Fakher Biadsi, a Hadash faction member, as Deputy Mayor under a rotation agreement. The appointment passed with 17 council members in favor and nine opposed. Following the decision, the only Likud council member Yaniv Ben Shoshan announced his resignation.
Hadash faction members Raja Zaatry and Fakher Biadsi at the Haifa City Council meeting (Photo: Haifa Municipality)
During the lengthy debate preceding the vote, Mayor Yona Yahav stated: “Partnership with Arab society is vital in Haifa, and there is a tangible need to include Arab representatives in the city leadership. Fakher Biadsi symbolizes coexistence in Haifa, and his contribution to our shared life will be significant. I want to offer my support to you, Fakher, and to Sophie Nakash, who has faced death threats in recent months for backing this appointment.”
The upcoming appointment triggered a severe political crisis within Haifa’s right-wing ranks, dealing the heaviest blow to the local Likud branch. Following months of internal tension, the rift within the Likud faction peaked with the ousting of faction chairman Ben Shoshan from the municipal coalition, as well as from his positions on city committees and municipal corporations, due to his opposition to Biadsi. Ben Shoshan, who threatened to disrupt state budget allocations to the northern capital, announced his resignation. This move leaves Likud with no real influence in the municipality and highlights the depth of the internal fracture.
Hadash welcomed the appointment, stating: “Partnership will defeat racism; the election of Biadsi as Deputy Mayor of Haifa is a massive achievement for the joint Arab-Jewish struggle and a slap in the face to the Kahanist right on both local and national levels.” Biadsi’s election was made possible “despite a fierce incitement campaign waged against him, against the Hadash faction in Haifa, and against the list’s chairman, Raja Zaatry. Likud even attempted to exert pressure to sabotage the appointment, threatening to cut municipal budgets if Biadsi were elected to the position.” Hadash emphasized that Biadsi’s election, “despite the incitement and threats, proves the strength of the Arab-Jewish partnership and Hadash’s ability to solidify its representation in decision-making hubs.” Biadsi is now the third Hadash deputy mayor in a major city, alongside Att. Amir Badran, recently elected Deputy Mayor of Tel Aviv-Jaffa, and Dr. Shukri Awawdeh in Nof Hagalil.
Badran also congratulated Att. Biadsi on his election, stating: “His election is far more than a personal milestone. It sends a clear message of partnership, equality, and Arab representation in decision-making hubs. A shared society is measured not only by the ability to live together, but also by the ability to lead together, bear responsibility, and make decisions as one.” Badran emphasized: “I am certain that Fakher will fulfill his role with professionalism and dedication for the benefit of all Haifa residents. I look forward to collaboration between Haifa and Tel Aviv-Jaffa to advance Arab society, strengthen shared cities, and expand equality for all residents.”
Related: https://maki.org.il/en/?p=33512
