Journalist Urges Inclusion of Mansour Abbas in Coalition

Journalist Nadav Peri stated on Wednesday that if the "change bloc" parties secure 61 Knesset seats, Mansour Abbas should unequivocally be added to the coalition. Peri argued that Abbas's inclusion is crucial for fostering long-term coexistence with Arab citizens of Israel. This statement comes amid reports that Bedouin mayors in the north met with Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Gadi Eisenkot, who they claim promised to include the Ra'am party in the next government. Eisenkot vehemently denied these claims, calling them "a lie and falsehood" and stating they were never uttered, not even implicitly. Yisrael Beiteinu reiterated its clear stance that partnership in a government is only possible with parties that adhere to three fundamental principles: recognizing the values of the Declaration of Independence, acknowledging Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, and serving all citizens. The party also emphasized that factions not recognizing Hamas as a terror organization, which Israel must destroy, will not be part of their government.