Ra'am Holds First Internal Primaries Since Breaking from Shura Council, Abbas Confirms Solo Run

Ra'am is set to conduct internal primaries on August 22 for the first time since its split from the Shura Council and the Islamic Movement, marking a significant shift in the party's decision-making process. This will be the first occasion where candidates are chosen through an internal vote by party members, reflecting Ra'am's move toward greater organizational independence. Party chairman MK Mansour Abbas clarified in an interview with ynet that while Ra'am has held primaries before, this is the first after severing ties with the Shura Council, emphasizing the party's institutional development.

A key issue in the Arab political sphere is whether the Arab parties will reunite in a joint list or run separately in the upcoming Knesset elections. Abbas ruled out a joint list including all four Arab parties, stating that option is off the table. Instead, he said Ra'am will run independently, while there is talk of a joint list among Hadash, Ta'al, and Balad. Abbas believes that running on two separate lists can still be electorally successful if there is cooperation and a fair campaign focused on increasing Arab representation.

Abbas noted that in the previous elections, despite running three separate lists, two passed the electoral threshold and together secured 10 mandates, with the combined strength of all three lists reaching about 13-14 mandates. He stressed that the number of lists is less important than how the campaign is managed.

One of Ra'am's major challenges is boosting voter turnout in the Arab community. Abbas said the party's message will emphasize both the importance of voting and the significance of choosing the right candidate. He also highlighted the party's commitment to geographic balance in its candidate list, ensuring representation from the Galilee, the Triangle, and the Negev regions. The top candidate will be chosen by all contenders, with subsequent spots allocated to maintain regional balance. Additionally, the fourth spot on the list will be reserved for a woman from any of these regions.

Abbas portrayed Ra'am as a party that unites diverse Arab communities across Israel rather than focusing on a single geographic base. He described the primaries as part of Ra'am's evolution into an independent political party based on participation, choice, and public responsibility.