Issam Makhoul

Issam Makhoul (Arabic: عصام مخول, Hebrew: עיסאם מח'ול; 18 July 1952 – 26 December 2025) was an Israeli Arab politician who served as a member of the Knesset for Hadash from 1999 to 2006. A prominent figure in Maki, he served as its General Secretary from 2002 to 2007 and was elected Chairman of Hadash in 2023. In his capacity as party leader, he oversaw the party's domestic activities and its international relations with other communist parties. In 2003, while serving in the Knesset, Makhoul was the target of a failed assassination attempt by a right-wing extremist involving a car bomb at his home in Haifa.

Born in Peki'in,^[1] Makhoul studied philosophy and sociology at the University of Haifa, gaining a MA. During his time at university he also became the first chairman of the National Union of Arab Students following its establishment in 1976. After graduating he worked as a sociologist, and was a member of the Emile Touma Institute for Political and Historical Research,^[2] which he chaired from 2010 onwards.^[1]

Makhoul joined Maki in 1977, serving as secretary of the Haifa branch during the 1980s.^[1] In 1993 he became a member of the party's politburo.^[1] He was elected to the Knesset on the Hadash list (an alliance led by Maki) in 1999 and was re-elected in 2003.^[2] He was an active critic of Israel's nuclear weapons program, and in 2000 was the first Knesset member to attempt a break in Israel's "nuclear ambiguity" policy by prompting an open debate on Israel's atomic program. He was also a supporter of Mordechai Vanunu, the former Israeli nuclear technician who was imprisoned for revealing details of Israel's nuclear weapons program to the British press in 1986, and called for Vanunu's release on several occasions. In 2002 he was elected secretary-general of Maki, holding the post until 2007.^[1]

On 24 October 2003, Makhoul was the target of an assassination attempt when an explosive device was planted in his private car in central Haifa.^[3] Makhoul and his wife, Suad, were preparing to leave their home; Makhoul reversed his Knesset-supplied Ford out of the driveway while his wife started their personal Honda to pick up their twin children from school. The Honda's ignition sparked an explosion, engulfing the vehicle in flames, but Suad managed to escape the blast unhurt.^[4]

Responding to the attack, Makhoul stated: "I have no doubt that this is a politically motivated event... an attempt to harm me based on my views and positions," adding that the attempt would not deter his determination to express his opinions.^[3]

The subsequent investigation led to the arrest of Eliran Golan and Alexander Rabinovitch, two Jewish men from Haifa motivated by nationalist sentiment. Golan admitted to investigators that he hated Arabs and had planned to target other prominent Arab figures, including Mohammad Barakeh, Azmi Bishara, and Ahmad Tibi.^[5] Golan, the primary perpetrator, committed suicide while in custody in September 2005.^[6] Rabinovitch was convicted of aiding the attempt and supplying explosive materials; while initially sentenced to four years of actual imprisonment, the Supreme Court later extended his term to five years following an appeal.^[5][7]

Makhoul lost his seat in the 2006 elections. Thereafter he was involved in improving ties between Maki and the Chinese Communist Party. He became chairman of Hadash in 2023.^[1]

Makhoul was married to Suad Nasr-Makhoul, an artist and urban planner.^[8][9] Makhoul had two children and lived in Haifa.^[1][10][2] His brother Ameer was a director of the Haifa-based Ittijah, the Union of Arab Community-Based Associations.^[11] Makhoul died on 26 December 2025, at the age of 73.^[10]

• Media related to Issam Makhoul at Wikimedia Commons
• Issam Makhoul on the Knesset website