Who they are
Youssef Atauna is an educator and former Hadash MK from Hura. He served in the Knesset in 2017–2018 and 2022–2025 and works for recognition of unrecognised villages in the Negev.
Born in 1966, he trained as a teacher at Kaye College in Be’er Sheva, then took degrees in education and public policy at Ben-Gurion University. He became head of Hura’s education department in 1996 and helped found Hagar, which established bilingual educational institutions in Be’er Sheva. He lives in Hura.
Positions and record
Negev villages: In January 2023, called for recognition of unrecognised Bedouin villages and opposed afforestation as a reason for relocating their residents.
Local services: In July 2024, proposed providing welfare, health and other government services beside existing schools in unrecognised villages, alongside investment in early-years education.
Employment: In February 2024, called for vocational and technological education matched to labour-market needs and broader training opportunities for Arab young people.
Teacher qualifications: Joined a February 2026 petition seeking to overturn the blanket ban on employing teachers with degrees from Palestinian Authority institutions.
Where they stand
Holds the Hadash line on every issue.
Judea & SamariaHadash lineEnd the occupation: a Palestinian state on the 4 June 1967 lines with East Jerusalem as its capital, talks with the PLO, and a just solution for refugees under Resolution 194.
Two states / withdrawalSovereignty / annexation
Gaza & SecurityHadash lineMake the end of the war permanent, lift the siege and end military control of Gaza, with aid, rebuilding, the return of the displaced and UNRWA back at work.
Deal & disengagementFull military control
Haredi EnlistmentHadash lineOpposes drafting Haredim or anyone else and would sanction no one who does not enlist; rejects military and civil service schemes for Arab youth.
Universal draftPreserve exemptions
JudiciaryHadash lineThe court as rights guarantor
Court can strike lawsKnesset can override
EconomyHadash lineA minimum wage of at least 70% of the average wage, progressive tax, price controls on basics, and no privatisation of health, education, housing or welfare.
Social spendingFree market
EducationHadash lineArab schools run themselves, setting their own curriculum and administration, on budgets equal to Jewish schools' and with no privatisation.
State runs the schoolsParents and communities
Religion & StateHadash lineSeparation of religion and state, with freedom of conscience and belief, written into a constitution of equal citizenship.
Civil / pluralistReligious authority
Nation & CitizenshipHadash lineEqual citizenship in a constitution, recognition of Arab citizens as an indigenous national group, and repeal of the Nation-State Law.
Equal citizenshipJewish national state
