How Israel's right wing won battle against Haifa deputy mayor
A wide political and media frenzy was sparked by the appointment of Raja Zaatry as deputy mayor of Haifa, leading to his resignation.
Raja Zaatry, deputy mayor of the northern Israeli city of Haifa, resigned from this post Dec. 12 under Israeli pressure and a media campaign against him by the Israeli right wing. This came as a result of Zaatry’s positions seen by senior Israeli officials as against Israel. Zaatry was also accused of supporting Hamas and Hezbollah.
Commenting on Zaatry’s resignation, Haifa Mayor Einat Kalisch Rotem said in a statement, “The Arab community in Israel was and will remain part of the leadership of the city of Haifa.” She noted that the personal war against Zaatry has ended.
On Oct. 30, Israel held local elections in 251 municipalities and local councils, including the municipality of Haifa, a key city for Israel. Haifa, a mixed Arab-Jewish city, is home to around 280,000 residents.
Based on the understandings among the city's winning electoral lists, winning Mayor Kalisch Rotem announced Dec. 3 the appointment of Zaatry, a member of the Democratic Front for Peace and Equality (Hadash), as deputy mayor.
