Abbas: We want to be part of Israel's next government

Ra'am faction chairman MK Mansour Abbas declared during his party's faction meeting that Ra'am is continuing to work actively to replace the current government. In his remarks, Abbas estimated that a shift in the balance of power in the plenum is closer than ever: "Netanyahu's bloc will become the opposition in the Knesset in a few hours. We will continue to advance the move to replace the current government. We want to be part of the next coalition and government — that is a basic right."

The statement comes just hours before the swearing-in of the 26th Knesset, against the backdrop of political contacts being conducted between the change bloc and the Arab parties. During the faction meeting, Abbas was asked about the ynet report regarding the political contacts and the conditions for joining the coalition, and did not deny the report.

Abbas's remarks today at the opening of the faction meeting (Photo: Knesset Channel)

Abbas emphasized in his remarks that Ra'am's entry into the next government would contribute to its stability and to Israel's image in the world: "We have faith in the democratic system. When you include different parties and different publics, it only strengthens democracy." According to him, Arab partnership in the government would also strengthen the state's international standing.

Meanwhile, in the background of discussions about the conditions for forming the coalition and the question of whether Abbas will issue a public statement declaring Hamas a terror organization — a subject he has avoided and evaded repeatedly in the past — Democrats party chairman Yair Golan addressed the issue.

Golan's remarks today (Photo: Knesset Channel)

Golan made clear that he does not see this issue as an obstacle to political cooperation, saying: "I don't think it's a stumbling block for him. I believe that all the declarations will come as a result of the negotiations." His remarks come after Golan called in recent days for the Tkuma bloc to form a government as soon as possible, while calling not to disqualify the Arab parties and the Arab public from participating in the coalition.

As reported, in recent days it was revealed that Natan Eshel, a Netanyahu associate, conducted repeated secret contacts with Abbas in an attempt to prevent him from assisting a government headed by Gadi Eisenkot. Eshel approached Abbas before the elections, during election day, and also after the results were published, in an attempt to ascertain whether Ra'am would provide a safety net for an alternative government.

Preparations ahead of the swearing-in of the 26th Knesset (Photo: Chaim Goldberg, Flash90)

While Netanyahu is conducting a sharp campaign against the possibility of forming a government with reliance on the Arab parties, political contacts between the change bloc and Ra'am continue to advance. Leaders of the Joint List met this week with Golan to coordinate moves, as part of efforts to realize the parliamentary majority of 67 mandates achieved in the elections.