Yoav Segalovich Set to Join Mansour Abbas' Ra'am Party for Upcoming Elections

Knesset member Yoav Segalovich is expected to join the Ra'am party led by Mansour Abbas and run in a realistic spot on their list in the upcoming elections. Currently on vacation in Thailand, Segalovich will return to Israel mid-next week and meet with Abbas to finalize the necessary arrangements. Abbas is simultaneously conducting polls among both Arab and Jewish communities to assess the potential electoral impact of this unprecedented Jewish-Arab political alliance.

Segalovich, 67, formerly headed the police investigations division during high-profile probes including those against former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Elected to the Knesset on the Yesh Atid list, he served as Deputy Minister of Public Security in the change government, leading efforts against crime in Arab society. His initiatives were dismantled by Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir after the current government was formed.

Mansour Abbas, 52, is working to distance Ra'am from the Islamic Movement's religious institutions and has committed to opening the party to Jewish voters and candidates. Abbas described Segalovich as an ideal candidate, respected in both Jewish and Arab communities, emphasizing that his joining is a developmental step for Ra'am rather than an election gimmick.

The joint run depends on Ra'am officially endorsing Abbas' calls for integration into Israeli society, including civil service and recognition of the Declaration of Independence, and reserving a top spot on the list for Segalovich. Their rare mutual trust stems from their parliamentary cooperation, with polls showing Segalovich as the only Jewish politician trusted by the Arab public.

If realized, this alliance could significantly alter Ra'am's political standing. Currently, most opposition parties, including Segalovich's former party, reject Ra'am joining a coalition. This stance may change if Segalovich becomes Ra'am's candidate for National Security Minister. The move also promises profound effects within Arab society.