Ra'am Leader Mansour Abbas Calls for US and Israel to Recognize Palestinian State

Mansour Abbas, chairman of the Ra'am party, opened the party's general conference on August 22, 2026, which will select its Knesset candidate list. In his speech, Abbas emphasized the Palestinian issue, describing Palestinian citizens of Israel as a "bridge to achieving peace." He asserted that the State of Palestine already exists and is recognized by most countries worldwide, and stated that Ra'am is working toward recognition by both Israel and the United States. Abbas called for peace, reconciliation, and an end to occupation and conflict.

Addressing recent developments, Abbas urged renewed cooperation among Arab parties after the Joint List's unification excluded Ra'am. He announced a new chapter in relations and called for signing surplus vote agreements. Abbas also highlighted that Ra'am is testing Israeli democracy, noting that the participation of an Arab list in the governing coalition has become a serious political reality.

The conference agenda includes approving Abbas's authority to reserve spots on the candidate list. Meanwhile, talks are underway regarding the possible inclusion of Yoav Segalovich, former Deputy Minister of Public Security, who left Yesh Atid, into Ra'am. Abbas reportedly demands a technical alliance without Segalovich becoming a party member and insists on no changes to Ra'am's internal constitution or leadership structure. Segalovich, on his part, seeks freedom to vote on religion and state issues, a civil service framework for the Arab community, and formal acknowledgment of Israel as the Jewish nation-state, reflecting previous statements by Abbas.