Ex-MK Yoav Segalovich Joins Arab Party Ra'am, Citing Shared Israeli Identity

Former Knesset member Yoav Segalovich, previously with the Yesh Atid party, has announced his decision to join Ra'am, the Arab party led by Dr. Mansour Abbas. Segalovich detailed his motivations in a comprehensive statement, emphasizing the shared identity of all Israeli citizens as the unifying factor.

Segalovich described himself as a "Jew, Zionist, secular, an officer in the IDF, and a commander in the Israel Police," contrasting his identity with Abbas's as "Arab, religious Muslim, conservative." He stated, "The connection between us is that we are all Israelis, and this is the shared identity." He argued that the term "Israeli" has been overshadowed by divisive ethnic terms, neglecting the common ground. Segalovich highlighted the significant contribution of Israel's Arab population, which constitutes 21% of citizens, to the nation's industry, economy, culture, education, and medicine, calling them an economic and social growth engine.

Referencing the Declaration of Independence as his guiding principle, Segalovich quoted its commitment to developing the land for all its inhabitants based on liberty, justice, and peace. He questioned whether all parties calling themselves Zionist could today endorse the Declaration. He expressed belief in the possibility of political cooperation based on trust, acknowledging differences, and committing to joint action, stating, "I do not intend to change Mansour and Ra'am, and they will not change me."

Segalovich criticized the current government for failing to address rampant crime and insecurity, particularly for Arab citizens. He dismissed the notion that political partnership with Arab parties is impossible after the October 7th attacks, noting that Arab Israelis also experienced the war, with over 34 members of the Arab community killed and several Bedouin citizens abducted. He asserted that political boundaries are often drawn by extremists and do not reflect the potential for collaboration.

He aims to build a "real political bridge" beyond election cycles, acknowledging past conflicts and differing narratives but stressing the need to look towards the future. Segalovich concluded by stating that while the political system often uses fear, he and Ra'am aim to offer hope and break the paradigm of divisive discourse and political partnership. He invited Jews, Arabs, Muslims, Christians, and Druze to trust this initiative and join.