Mansour Abbas Positions Ra'am as Key Coalition Partner After October Elections

Mansour Abbas, chairman of the United Arab List (Ra'am), declared his party's ambition to serve as the decisive bloc enabling coalition formation following the Israeli Knesset elections scheduled for October 27. In an interview with Al-Shams news channel, Abbas emphasized that Ra'am aims to assert itself at the center of political decision-making and will not allow figures like Benjamin Netanyahu or Yair Golan to dictate its role in Israeli politics.

Abbas addressed the broader issue of Arab parties' participation in government, noting that while Israel's demographic reality ensures any government will rely on a Jewish majority, the legitimacy of Arab parties joining the opposition is accepted, but their inclusion in coalitions is often rejected. He questioned this double standard and insisted on the principle that no one should determine Ra'am's political function.

Responding to past statements interpreted as recognizing Israel as a Jewish state, Abbas pointed out that everyone acknowledges Israel's Jewish identity and that the critical question is the status of Arab citizens within the state. He warned against the rise of extreme right-wing, fascist, and racist elements, stressing that combating such ideologies is vital to protect both the Jewish people worldwide and Israel itself.

Politically, Abbas clarified that Ra'am is subordinate to its internal institutions and remains loyal to the Islamic Movement, which founded and supports the party, adhering to its fundamental principles. This positioning underscores Ra'am's intent to be a central player in Israel's political landscape after the upcoming elections.