Almog Cohen Calls Mansour Abbas a 'Fool' for Considering Him a Zionist Partner

Deputy Minister Almog Cohen sharply criticized Mansour Abbas, leader of the Ra'am party, following an investigative report aired on Channel 14. Cohen described the report as one of the most significant television revelations, highlighting the stark contrast between Abbas's public statements in Hebrew and his remarks in Arabic. He accused Abbas of presenting himself as a moderate partner to the Israeli public while conveying different messages to the Arab audience.

Cohen emphasized that Abbas's polite rhetoric masks dangerous affiliations, including meetings with militants and connections to the Muslim Brotherhood. He warned against allowing Abbas into the government or labeling him a Zionist partner, calling anyone who does so "not naive, but a fool." Cohen insisted that Abbas should not be allowed to transform Israel into a country where patriotism and national symbols become taboo.

The Channel 14 investigation included evidence and testimonies linking Ra'am to the Islamic Movement, an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood in Israel. The report alleged that Ra'am's civilian activities serve Palestinian nationalist and Islamist goals from within Israeli decision-making centers. It also documented Abbas referring to Israel as the "Zionist enemy," denying Jewish rights to the Temple Mount, Western Wall, and Jerusalem, and supporting "Return Marches." Further claims connected Ra'am to organizations tied to terrorism financing.

Following the report, some politicians called for Ra'am's disqualification from the Knesset. Cohen's comments reflect growing skepticism and concern over Abbas's political role and the implications for Israeli national security and identity.