Former Yesh Atid MK Yoav Segalovitch Joins Arab Ra'am Party

Former Knesset member Yoav Segalovitch, previously of the Yesh Atid party, will officially join the United Arab List (Ra'am) party, led by Mansour Abbas, on Monday evening. The announcement is scheduled for 8:00 PM at the Ramada Hotel in Nazareth. Segalovitch will hold the second position on the party's list.

Earlier this month, reports indicated that Segalovitch and Abbas had reached understandings regarding the move. Key agreements include advancing civil service within the Arab community and granting Segalovitch freedom of vote on various issues. Furthermore, Segalovitch is slated to be Ra'am's candidate for National Security Minister should the party be part of the next government coalition.

In a joint statement, the two leaders expressed a "good and positive spirit" in discussing Segalovitch's potential candidacy for the upcoming Knesset elections, agreeing to continue direct negotiations. Segalovitch had previously discussed his considerations with political colleagues, framing the alliance as a "Zionist move" connecting the Arab public seeking to participate in Israel with a Zionist element within the bloc.

Segalovitch also suggested that joining forces with Abbas could provide crucial votes needed to replace the current government. He acknowledged public apprehension towards a political alliance with Ra'am following the October 7th events but emphasized the overriding goal of government change. He believes his presence within the coalition could make it easier for voters to accept a scenario where Ra'am enables a new government, whether through support, abstention, or another political arrangement.