'Netanyahu Is Inciting Against Arab Community' Ra'am Leader Mansour Abbas Alleges Secret Coalition Outreach Amid Israel Political Crisis

Jerusalem, November 11: Ra'am party chief Mansour Abbas asserted on Wednesday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was employing his office to incite against the Arab populace, while simultaneously stating that a trusted advisor of Netanyahu had reached out to Abbas to discuss potential coalition talks to replace Netanyahu's administration.

According to The Times of Israel, Abbas relayed to Kan public broadcaster that Natan Eshel, a confidant of Netanyahu, had recently communicated his position on a proposed law barring criminal defendants from serving as prime minister and whether Abbas' party would join a coalition to challenge Netanyahu's leadership. "I was astonished," Abbas remarked of Netanyahu's assurances that he and Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar share mutual understanding.

The day prior, Netanyahu had told the Knesset that Arab parties aimed to destroy Israel. Netanyahu also stated, "I am willing to take a polygraph and he can take a polygraph, [to see] who is telling the truth." Abbas further criticized Netanyahu's recent speech, alleging that the prime minister had utilized his position to target Arab communities and their representatives.

"He took advantage of his state position to incite against the Arab public and its representatives," Abbas claimed. Netanyahu has previously accused members of Arab parties of desiring Israel's annihilation and backing terrorism. Responding to accusations against his party, Abbas reiterated his steadfast opposition to terrorism and political violence.

Abbas also explained his presence in the Knesset chamber during the national anthem, while other Arab lawmakers departed, asserting that the party's approach aimed at responsible statesmanship and non-provocation. The political scenario unfolds amidst attempts to form a new administration following Israel's October 27 elections, which produced a hung Knesset, with no coalition attaining the necessary 61 seats.

Netanyahu's Likud faction received 53 seats, while opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar alliance garnered 48 seats, along with crucial support from Arab factions Ra'am and the Joint List, collectively holding 19 seats. President Isaac Herzog appointed Eisenkot to form the next government on November 8, following the Knesset's approval of the Arrangements Committee to oversee parliamentary proceedings until a new administration is established.