Mansour Abbas Bets on Kingmaker Role with Unprecedented Jewish Candidate

Mansour Abbas, leader of the United Arab List (Ra'am), has announced the addition of Yoav Segalovitch, a former senior police officer and deputy minister, to his party's Knesset slate for the upcoming October 27 elections. This marks an unprecedented move for the Islamist party, which has never before included a non-Muslim candidate.

The decision is seen as a strategic gamble by Abbas, who aims to position himself as a "kingmaker" in the next Israeli government. By including Segalovitch, a former member of Yair Lapid's Yesh Atid party, Abbas seeks to broaden his appeal and potentially secure a significant role, possibly a ministerial position, should his party participate in a future coalition.

Segalovitch, who served as head of investigations and intelligence in the Israel Police, stated at a joint press conference with Abbas that despite a "complex history between Arabs and Jews," a "shared future" unites them. However, the article questions the impact of this alliance in the current political climate, citing figures like Itamar Ben-Gvir who are seen as deepening divisions.

Abbas described the decision as serious and aimed at achieving political change, suggesting it serves a dual purpose: promoting services for the Arab community and fostering Arab-Jewish cooperation. The author speculates that Abbas might have chosen a Jewish candidate over a Christian one due to strategic calculations related to his "kingmaker" aspirations.