Mansour Abbas Blames Bezalel Smotrich for Blocking Right-Wing-Arab Government Formation

Mansour Abbas, leader of the Ra'am party, confirmed that Bezalel Smotrich was the key figure who prevented the formation of a joint government between the right-wing and the Arab party. In a 103fm interview, Abbas said Smotrich tries to portray himself as a hero at Netanyahu's expense, but he is indeed the only one who blocked a right-wing-Ra'am government led by Netanyahu alongside Naftali Bennett.

Abbas recounted the spring 2021 negotiations, describing how he was invited to a meeting with Rabbi Druckman, coordinated by Amit Halevi and the Prime Minister. Abbas consulted a rabbi friend who advised that Druckman was not Smotrich's rabbi and that Smotrich would not listen to him. Nevertheless, Abbas attended the meeting, had a positive and substantive discussion, and presented his political views and goals.

He also revealed that before Naftali Bennett turned to form the change government, Bennett had given Abbas a chance and asked if he was willing to join, to which Abbas agreed. At that time, the first option was a full right-wing government, but Netanyahu failed, and the mandate passed to Yair Lapid.

Bezalel Smotrich responded on his X account, saying, "I don't usually say this, but listen to Mansour."