Ra'am Chairman Abbas Responds to Hamas Charity Remark
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
Ra'am party chairman Mansour Abbas has strongly condemned a statement by a party member calling Hamas a "charity organization." In a radio interview, Abbas's representative, Mohammed Majadla, explained that while Arab leaders have condemned Hamas's actions, they are wary of being unfairly labeled. Majadla outlined historic conditions for Ra'am's potential coalition participation, including mandatory national service for Arab youth and recognition of Israel as a Jewish state.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Ra'am Chairman Mansour Abbas condemned a party member's description of Hamas as a "charity organization."
- A party representative stated Arab leaders have condemned Hamas's October 7th actions.
- Ra'am's potential coalition entry requires conditions like mandatory national service for Arab youth.
- Conditions include disarming paramilitary groups and recognizing Israel as the Jewish people's state.
- The representative urged against a trap preventing Jewish-Arab coexistence.
Ra'am party chairman Mansour Abbas has responded to a statement by a party member who referred to Hamas as a "charity organization," deeming it an "outrageous statement." Mohammed Majadla revealed Abbas's reaction in a conversation with Barak Sari and Eli Ohana on 103FM radio. Ohana had expressed his reservations about including Arab parties in a coalition, stating he would not trust parties that consider Hamas a charity, especially given the impact on bereaved families and soldiers. He emphasized the need for a clear condemnation of Hamas, not just a statement that it is a charity.
Majadla countered that Arab leaders have unequivocally condemned Hamas's October 7th actions, noting that Arab citizens were also victims and hostages. He suggested that if a leader were to approach Ra'am with conditions, including dismantling Hamas, Abbas would agree. Majadla differentiated between making concessions for partnership and being cornered into defending oneself as an Arab and a supporter of terrorism. He urged against falling into a trap designed to prevent coexistence between Jews and Arabs.
Abbas, through Majadla, outlined potential conditions for Ra'am's participation in a future coalition, describing it as a "historic move." These conditions include a commitment to mandatory national service for all Arab youth, disarming paramilitary organizations, and recognizing Israel as the state of the Jewish people, aligning with the values of the Declaration of Independence. Majadla also mentioned that Arab leaders in the Gulf are awaiting change to advance peace and that the Israeli public is preoccupied with political debates surrounding Netanyahu.
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