Ra'am chairman MK Mansour Abbas declared that his party is aiming to serve as the decisive block needed to form a governing coalition following the Knesset elections on October 27. Abbas made the statements during an interview with the Al-Shams news outlet.
Addressing the potential integration of Arab parties into the coalition, Abbas noted that any government formed in Israel would naturally rely on a Jewish majority due to demographic realities.
He argued that the real question is why the participation of Arab parties and non-Zionist Knesset members in the opposition is viewed as legitimate, while their inclusion in a governing coalition is not.
"The core principle is that no one will dictate our role in politics. We intend to assert ourselves so that we are at the center of decision-making," Abbas said.
"I will not let anyone - neither Benjamin Netanyahu nor Yair Golan on the other side - tell me what I should do or where my place is in Israeli politics."
Responding to a question regarding a past statement that was interpreted as recognition of Israel as a Jewish state, Abbas remarked: "You all say this is a Jewish state. Is there anyone who doesn't say it's a Jewish state? Why not be honest with ourselves? The issue here isn't the Jewish state. The fundamental question we must confront is: what is our status within the State of Israel?"
Abbas warned against the rise of the "far-right, fascist, and racist" elements, emphasizing that the public and the Jewish people must eradicate "racism, fascism, and extremism," as these forces could ultimately harm Jews worldwide as well as within the State of Israel.
On organizational matters, Abbas affirmed that Ra'am operates under its own governing bodies. He noted that the Islamic Movement established and supports Ra'am, and that the party remains steadfastly committed to the Islamic Movement's core principles.