Netanyahu Ally Held Secret Talks With Arab Party Leader

While Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly denounces reliance on Arab parties, one of his closest confidants, Nathan Effel, engaged in back-channel negotiations with Mansour Abbas, the chairman of the Ra'am party. Effel repeatedly approached Abbas both before and after the recent elections, attempting to dissuade Ra'am from supporting a government led by Gadi Eisenkot, the head of the Yesh Atid party.

Effel's inquiries included asking Abbas if Ra'am would assist Eisenkot in passing legislation, such as the conscription law, despite Eisenkot's stated opposition to including them in a coalition. These efforts suggest concern within Netanyahu's circle about the possibility of Ra'am's support for such a government.

Initially, Effel denied the contacts, but after being presented with evidence, he stated that he had asked Arab individuals if they possessed "a shred of self-respect" and would support someone who did not want them in a coalition. Abbas reportedly responded that they would "do what is good for us."

The Likud party issued a statement saying Prime Minister Netanyahu was surprised to learn of these exchanges and that they were not conducted with his knowledge. The report highlights a stark contrast between Netanyahu's public rhetoric against depending on Arab parties and Effel's behind-the-scenes attempts to influence Ra'am's political stance.