Change Bloc Holds Talks With Ra'am as Netanyahu Confidant Contacted Abbas
The change bloc is holding intensive talks with Ra'am leader Mansour Abbas regarding the recognition of Hamas as a terrorist group. Meanwhile, reports revealed that a confidant of PM Netanyahu held secret contacts with Abbas.
Despite a preference within the change bloc for establishing a government with Haredi parties, figures in the camp have not written off Ra'am Chairman Mansour Abbas as a potential coalition partner. Intensive talks have been underway in recent days with Abbas and Ra'am officials focusing on a key condition: recognizing Hamas as a terrorist organization.
According to sources, Abbas has expressed in-principle agreement to meet the fourth condition set by Yashar! Chairman Gadi Eisenkot, which requires recognizing Hamas as a terror group. However, he demands genuine commitment from the change bloc to a real partnership. The Democrats and officials in Eisenkot's party have taken on the mediation efforts.
During consultations at the President's Residence last week, Abbas explained why he avoids directly calling Hamas a terrorist group, pointing to security concerns for his family. He stated that his movement stands firmly against terror and violence, while asking for space to act as a bridge. Eisenkot's four conditions for any coalition partner include recognizing Israel as a Jewish, democratic, liberal, and egalitarian state, committing to the Declaration of Independence, mandatory service for all citizens, and recognizing Hamas as a terrorist organization.
Meanwhile, Yasser Hujeirat, who is set to be sworn in as a Ra'am MK, addressed controversy over remarks where Hamas was allegedly described as a charity organization. Hujeirat issued a lengthy clarification stating his comments were edited out of context and manipulated. He unequivocally condemned terror, the October 7 atrocities, and emphasized support for U.S. President Donald Trump's framework to disarm Hamas.
Simultaneously, reports emerged that Nathan Eshel, a close confidant of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, held covert contacts with Mansour Abbas both before and after the elections. The outreach aimed to prevent Abbas from assisting a potential minority government led by Gadi Eisenkot. Likud responded by stating the interactions were unauthorized and that the party opposes any cooperation with terror-supporting parties.
