Abbas denies report on recognizing Hamas as a terror organization; Ra'am wants to join government

In depth

Ra'am leader Mansour Abbas announced at the opening of the faction meeting that his party seeks to join the coalition and the next government. Asked whether Ra'am would recognize Hamas as a terror organization, he replied that the answer would be given within the coalition negotiations.

Abbas denies the report that he expressed willingness to define Hamas as a terror organization in exchange for joining the government. He clarified that he made no such statement at any point, and called on the Arab public to rely on the official statements of his party.

Abbas accused Netanyahu of inciting against the Arab public and criticized the incitement against Ra'am. According to him, the goal is to have influence within a government and coalition, alongside Eisenkot, Golan, Bennett and Liberman.