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 party line on every issue.