Ra'am Leader Mansour Abbas Advances Partnership with Yoav Segalovich Ahead of New Israeli Government Formation

Mansour Abbas, chairman of the Ra'am party, discussed in a Saturday interview on the program "Meet the Press" the ongoing efforts to integrate Yoav Segalovich into Ra'am's Knesset faction ahead of the next Israeli government formation. Abbas clarified that Segalovich will not become a formal member of Ra'am but will join its parliamentary faction. He emphasized that the strategic goal remains to replace the current government with a stable "change government" that will last four years.

Abbas rejected claims that Segalovich's joining is meant to grant Ra'am political legitimacy, stating, "We already have that legitimacy; no one can take it away from us. We have already done this by sitting in government." He highlighted the symbolic importance of the partnership as a sign of mutual recognition and cooperation between different communities, likening it to two doctors working together for a patient’s benefit.

Regarding his and Segalovich’s potential ministerial roles, Abbas acknowledged Segalovich’s qualifications for the role of Minister of Public Security, while Abbas himself said decisions on his own ministerial ambitions are still pending. He stressed the importance of forming a government that will endure and implement policies benefiting all Israeli citizens, Jewish and Arab alike.

Abbas also addressed past controversial statements, saying he no longer holds those views and pointed to a recent official Ra'am document promoting mutual recognition and coexistence between Jews and Arabs. He further discussed Ra'am’s plan to promote a civilian service framework for Arab youth, aiming to foster integration and development.

During Ra'am’s party conference held the same day, Abbas reaffirmed the party’s recognition of the State of Palestine and its efforts to gain recognition from Israel and the United States. The remarks sparked swift political backlash from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former IDF Chief Gadi Eizenkot, and other right-wing figures who rejected any Palestinian statehood recognition.

Abbas concluded by emphasizing Ra'am’s commitment to genuine politics and coexistence, aiming to build trust and hope amid ongoing tensions in Israeli society.