Reservist Group Warns of Mansour Abbas Controlling Interior Ministry

A reservist group leader is sounding the alarm over a potential scenario where Mansour Abbas, head of the Ra'am party, could gain control of Israel's Interior Ministry. Galad Ach, chairman of 'Victory Generation Reservists,' expressed concern that if Abbas secures this portfolio, he could wield significant power over family reunification permits for Palestinians married to Arab Israelis and land allocations to Arab municipalities.

Ach's warning comes amid discussions about Ra'am's potential inclusion in a future government, possibly under Benny Gantz. He suggests that while Abbas might initially demand the Internal Security portfolio for Yoav Segalovich, his ultimate aim could be the Interior Ministry itself. Ach links this to Abbas's public statements focusing on municipal issues beneficial to the Arab community, interpreting it as a desire to control key municipal levers within Israel.

Drawing parallels to historical movements, Ach referenced the Muslim Brotherhood's strategy of infiltrating political systems. He cited Nimer Darwish, a former militant who later founded the southern branch of the Islamic Movement and entered municipal politics, as a precursor to Abbas's approach. Ach believes Abbas, as Darwish's student, is employing a similar strategy of gradual governmental infiltration.

Ach specifically highlighted the Population and Immigration Authority, which falls under the Interior Ministry, as a critical concern. He warned that if controlled by Abbas's party, it could lead to the approval of hundreds of thousands of Palestinian immigrants annually, potentially altering the demographic balance in Israel. He also noted the ministry's control over land and municipal approvals, which could enable unchecked expansion of Arab towns and cities.

Ach expressed skepticism about former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot's understanding of these potential threats, suggesting that military leadership doesn't always translate to political acumen. He fears that Eisenkot might be relying on advisors with perspectives favoring Palestinian statehood or minority rights, inadvertently empowering what he calls the 'Islamic monster.' Ach urged the right-wing political bloc to unite to prevent such a scenario, warning of a 'crazy government' led by Abbas and Yair Golan.