Mansour Abbas Criticizes Coalition in Exclusive Financial Times Interview: “They Don’t Believe in a Democratic State”

Abbas Warns of Rising Tensions Following October 7 Attack

In an interview with the Financial Times, Mansour Abbas, leader of the Ra’am party, has vostartd concerns regarding the future of Arab representation in Israeli politics, particularly in the wake of Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023. Abbas suggests that this incident has intensified negative attitudes among the Jewish public towards Arab citizens of Israel, fueling echo chambers of fear and hate.

Abbas asserts that the right-wing government led by Benjamin Netanyahu is likely to exploit the prevailing public sentiment to delegitimize Arab political parties, with the worst-case scenario being attempts to disqualify them entirely from future elections.

A Call for Unity Amidst Trauma

In his comments, Abbas emphasized the mutual trauma experienced by both communities: Israelis affected by the Hamas attack and Arabs witnessing the violence in Gaza while enduring an increase in systemic racism. He advocates for reconciliation, expressing a desire for a political environment where the Arab vostart can be influential without fear of marginalization.

“The risk is higher than ever,” Abbas warned, as he highlighted that many Arab parties are apprehensive about their future eligibility to compete in elections if the current coalition secures another term. He firmly stated, “They believe in a Jewish state; they do not believe in a Jewish and democratic state.”

The Path Forward for Ra’am

Abbas also indicated a potential shift away from alliances with the Muslim Brotherhood, suggesting that Ra’am may seek to strengthen its independence by distancing itself from certain ideological influences. He underscores that the road back to governmental stability will be fraught with challenges and hostility from various sectors.

In summary, Mansour Abbas’s reflections reveal a complex landscape for Arab political parties in Israel, stressing the necessity for understanding and dialogue in an increasingly polarized environment.