Balad Leader Sami Abu Shahadeh Criticizes Mansour Abbas, Open to Cooperation with Gantz

Ahead of the upcoming Israeli elections, the Arab parties Hadash, Ta'al, and Balad announced they will run together under a joint list led by Youssef Jabareen, excluding Ra'am. Sami Abu Shahadeh, chairman of Balad, expressed sharp criticism of Ra'am leader Mansour Abbas, accusing him of inconsistency and unpredictability, saying Abbas made a mistake by preventing the joint list from forming earlier. Abu Shahadeh stated the alliance should have been finalized a year ago to better mobilize Arab voters.

Abu Shahadeh estimated the joint list would secure at least 10 Knesset seats and predicted a high Arab voter turnout between 65% and 70%. He emphasized that the coalition is based on a clear agenda and past cooperation, aiming to be the most serious democratic alternative in Israeli politics.

Regarding potential cooperation with candidates for prime minister, Abu Shahadeh did not rule out supporting Benny Gantz but set clear conditions. He stressed that Balad will not be a "servant tool" for any candidate, including Netanyahu or Gantz, and that respect for their political worldview is essential. Abu Shahadeh welcomed the possibility of working with a leader who recognizes the occupation as unacceptable and is willing to promote equality and engage with Arab society.

He criticized the Israeli political right-wing's dominance and stated that extremist parties like Otzma Yehudit and the Likud have no support among Arab voters. Abu Shahadeh also commented on the newly formed Jewish-Arab party "Standing Together," expressing doubt about their electoral viability.

Addressing criticism about the low number of women on the joint list, with the first woman placed only eighth, Abu Shahadeh acknowledged the issue and expressed a desire for greater female representation, noting that Balad itself has 40% women members and he had tried to achieve gender parity.

The joint list will be headed by Hadash's Youssef Jabareen, followed by Ta'al's Ahmad Tibi and Balad's Sami Abu Shahadeh in third place.