Ra’am Chairman MK Mansour Abbas issued a formal denial on Wednesday regarding widespread reports that he was prepared to officially declare Hamas a terrorist organization as a concession to secure entry into Israel’s incoming governing coalition.
2+Speaking in an interview with the Arabic-language channel Hala TV, Abbas moved to tamp down internal criticism following an article published by Ynet, which alleged that the Islamist party leader had offered to adopt the state’s formal terror designation of Hamas in exchange for ministerial portfolios and coalition partnership. “I never made this declaration,” Abbas stated directly during the broadcast.
He cautioned his constituents against accepting external media accounts, adding: “I call upon the Arab public to pay attention solely to official statements released directly by myself and on behalf of the party.” The denial highlights the narrow political tightrope Abbas is walking as he navigates high-stakes government formation talks.
2+Just twenty-four hours earlier, at the opening of Ra’am’s faction meeting prior to the swearing-in of the 26th Knesset, Abbas caused a political uproar when journalists pressed him to clarify whether his party formally considers Hamas a terrorist entity. Rather than affirming the classification, Abbas evaded the question, saying the definitive answer would come only during coalition bargaining sessions.
The subsequent reports suggesting Abbas had privately signaled a willingness to capitulate on the terror designation triggered sharp blowback among Arab political circles, prompting his rapid appearance on Arabic television to clarify his posture. Despite walking back the report, Abbas underscored that his core strategic trajectory remains unchanged.
2+During the Hala TV appearance, the Ra’am leader reaffirmed that his primary operational focus is to leverage his faction’s parliamentary strength to join the emerging government, with the express aim of replacing the right-wing administration headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.