Otzma Yehudit calls to disqualify Ra'am MK Abbas from Knesset elections over 'Muslim Brotherhood' remarks

Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit party has called for the disqualification of Ra'am chairman MK Mansour Abbas from running in the Knesset elections. The demand stems from Abbas's recent statements suggesting Arab parties were compelled to accept Israel as a Jewish state to prevent disqualification from elections.

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The senior partner of [Naftali] Bennett and [Gadi] Eisenkot in a future government admits that he does not recognize the State of Israel as a Jewish state.

Otzma Yehudit stated that Abbas's admission signifies a lack of recognition for Israel as a Jewish state, labeling his views as "delusional" and associating him with the Muslim Brotherhood. This statement was made in response to criticism of Abbas's earlier comments, where he reportedly claimed "Zionist gangs conquered Palestine."

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We would tell you that what he is saying is delusional, but we are not surprised. He is from the Muslim Brotherhood.

Abbas clarified his position in a Facebook post, asserting that changing his political language does not equate to abandoning his Palestinian identity. He questioned whether different wording and approaches could effectively convey the Nakba narrative, draw lessons, and present a future vision that allows for influence to address historical injustices and prevent displacement. He also stated that accepting the Jewish character of the state was "imposed on us and we did not choose it," reflecting the will of Israel's Jewish majority rather than a demand from Arab citizens.

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Is it not possible that different wording and a different political approach could actually express the truth of the Nakba, draw lessons from the historical experience accurately and wisely, and present a practical vision for the future?

Abbas further explained that Arab parties were "forced to accept it practically, otherwise they would be eliminated in the parliamentary and local elections." His stated political priority is to enhance the standing of Arab citizens within Israel.

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The Arab parties were forced to accept it practically, otherwise they would be eliminated in the parliamentary and local elections.