Netanyahu and Gadi Eizenkot Reject Mansour Abbas’s Call for Palestinian State Recognition

Mansour Abbas, chairman of the United Arab List (Ra'am), delivered a key speech at his party’s 28th national conference in Tayibe attended by over a thousand members. Abbas emphasized Ra'am’s political strategy and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, describing Arab citizens of Israel as a "bridge to peace" in the region. He highlighted Ra'am’s role in integrating an Arab party into the Israeli coalition as a serious political reality and reiterated the party’s approach of influencing change from within the political system.

On the diplomatic front, Abbas called for recognition of a Palestinian state, stating that "Palestine exists, the whole world recognizes it, and the US and Israel should recognize it as well." He argued that such recognition would end the conflict and occupation, with Arab Israelis serving as a bridge for understanding, reconciliation, and security for all people in the area.

During the conference, Ra'am approved its candidate list for the upcoming Knesset elections, led by Mansour Abbas, followed by Walid Taha, Walid al-Huashla, Iman Khatib-Yasin (in the reserved women’s slot), and Yasser Hajirat. The party’s executive committee was granted authority to approve additional candidates, paving the way for former Deputy Minister of Public Security Yoav Segalovich, who recently left Yesh Atid and is negotiating to join Ra'am’s list.

Abbas’s statements sparked sharp responses from Israeli political leaders. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared, "As long as I am Prime Minister, there will be no Palestinian state controlled by Iran, neither in Gaza nor in the West Bank. Period." He also criticized the left-wing coalition partners for aligning with Islamist groups like Ra'am. Former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot echoed Netanyahu, stating, "There is no Palestinian state, and in the government we form, no Palestinian state will be established."

Meanwhile, Ra'am prepares for the upcoming elections possibly with outside candidates, while the other three main Arab parties, Hadash, Ta’al, and Balad, have agreed to run jointly but separately from Ra'am.