"In good spirits": Sagalovitz and Abbas discussed joining Ra'am

In a joint statement by Knesset member Mansour Abbas, chairman of Ra'am, and Knesset member Yoav Sagalovitz, it was written:

"They met today and discussed in a good and positive spirit the possibility of Sagalovitz joining the Ra'am list in the upcoming Knesset elections."

The two agreed to continue direct contacts with the aim of advancing the issue.

In Otzma Yehudit, they were quick to condemn the move, stating: "Before our eyes, a plan for the fire sale of the Jewish state is taking place with the cooperation of the left."

"Mansour Abbas is trying through Yoav Sagalovitz to control the Ministry of National Security - to bring back the terrorists' summer camps in prison, to stop the demolitions in the Negev, and to take over the Ministry of Negev and Galilee in order to turn them into an Islamic territory," they added. "These are the partners of Eisenkot and Lieberman - don't let them sell you stories."

A few days ago, Sagalovitz said that "the connection between Ra'am and me is the most Zionist move that can be made, a connection between the Arab public that seeks to take part in the State of Israel and a Zionist factor from within the bloc."

Beyond that, he claimed in conversations with his associates that joining Mansour Abbas could provide the missing fingers needed to replace the government and establish a new cabinet.

In his conversations, Yoav Sagalovitz admitted that he understands the existing public aversion to a political connection with Ra'am after October 7, but argued that the central and more important goal now is replacing the government. According to his view, his presence within the alliance might make it easier for voters in the bloc to accept a constellation in which Ra'am will allow the formation of a government, whether through support, abstention, or another political outline.