Ra'am Chairman Abbas Eyes Coalition Role Amid Arab Voter Turnout Surge

Ra'am party chairman Mansour Abbas released a video Tuesday expressing his party's aspirations to be a key component in forming the next Israeli government, especially in light of significant reported increases in voter turnout within the Arab community. Abbas stated that Ra'am would be the faction to complete the formation of a coalition and government, thereby ousting the current right-wing government and keeping it in opposition for a full four-year term. He presented Ra'am as instrumental in establishing an alternative governing coalition, emphasizing that "today is the day of change" and that their vote is their power to enact it.

Abbas's remarks follow public support for a government including Ra'am from figures like Yair Golan, chairman of the Democratic Party, who told Channel 12 News that a Jewish-Arab partnership in government is positive. Abbas stressed his desire for a full term for an alternative government, not just a short period, aiming to keep the right-wing out of power for four years.

This ambition is informed by Ra'am's previous experience in the Bennett-Lapid coalition, which began in June 2021 and lasted about a year until the Knesset was dispersed. Abbas previously clarified that Ra'am participated in the coalition but not directly in the government itself, and this time, direct government participation is being considered.

The statements coincide with unusually high voter turnout figures. By 2 PM on election day, 44.9% of eligible voters had cast ballots, compared to 38.9% at the same time in the 2022 elections. Arab towns are also showing increased participation, with Rahat reporting 36.9% turnout by noon. Arab parties hope for higher overall participation than the approximately 53% final turnout in the previous election.

However, Ra'am's path to government inclusion is not guaranteed. While Golan supports it, Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu, opposes coalitions with Arab parties, and Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of Yesh Atid, has also expressed opposition to such partnerships. Despite these obstacles, Abbas continues to position Ra'am as a potential kingmaker for the next government. Initial projections will be released after polls close at 10 PM, offering a preliminary view of the next Knesset's balance of power. The central question remains whether the increased Arab voter turnout will translate into parliamentary strength enabling Ra'am to achieve Abbas's coalition and government ambitions.