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Mixed views among Israeli-Arabs over Ra'am party joining coalition

Some Israeli Arabs congratulate Ra'am party head Mansour Abbas for joining the coalition, while others warn he is setting a dangerous precedent in focusing on civil demands only.
Israeli Arab politician, leader of the United Arab list, Mansour Abbas attends consultations with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin (unseen) on who might form the next coalition government, at the president's residence, Jerusalem, April 5, 2021.

Head of Muslim party Ra’am Mansour Abbas participated June 6 in a special meeting that took place at the Dan Tel Aviv Hotel. It was the first meeting of the eight heads of parties to participate in the new government since the announcement last week of its imminent composition. Addressing the journalists who arrived there, Abbas declared, “They won’t break us apart, we are strong.” At the end of the meeting, Meretz Chairman Nitzan Horowitz tweeted, “Change is on the way.” 

Evidently, this meeting and all the developments that took place last week are nothing short of historic. Especially the photo of Abbas signing a coalition agreement that would establish a government headed by Yamina Chairman Naftali Bennett, who headed in the past the Yesh Council settlement umbrella organization.

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