Mansour Abbas

Members of Knesset Mansour Abbas and Ahmad Tibi walking outside the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, June 3, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

Palestinians could decide Israel’s election. But their parties are at a stalemate

Core disputes over how to utilize political power may not be resolved in time to form a new Joint List — and competing parties are ready to capitalize.

By Samah Watad July 24, 2026

Ra'am head Mansour Abbas attends a session in the assembly hall of the Israeli parliament. May 16, 2022. (Olivier Fitoussi/FLASH90)

Netanyahu’s veiled threat to outlaw Ra’am is a message to all Palestinian citizens

With elections in the offing, the prime minister is plotting another term in power via delegitimizing an Arab kingmaker and suppressing voter turnout.

By Ameer Makhoul December 1, 2025

Members of the Joint list are seen during celebrations in the headquarters of Joint List in the city of Nazareth, on the night of the Israeli general elections, March 17, 2015. (Akrm Drawshi/Activestills)

What can the Joint List teach us about building Palestinian political power?

Ten years after its formation, this experiment in Palestinian unity inside Israel — and its ultimate collapse — shows the need for carefully cultivated alliances.

By Rida Abu Rass May 23, 2025

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MK Ayman Odeh attends a plenum session at the Knesset in Jerusalem, July 10, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

Facing war and incitement, is there any hope left for Palestinians in the Knesset?

The Gaza war has revived a longstanding debate among Palestinian citizens of Israel about whether to participate in or boycott the parliament.

By Baker Zoubi June 6, 2024

Members of the Joint List arrive for a meeting with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin at the President's Residence, Jerusalem, September 22, 2019. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

The forgotten role of Palestinian citizens in Israel’s coalition wars

Contrary to popular belief, Arab parties have been backing prime ministerial candidates for decades. But what did they gain from the political game?

By Wadea Awawdy October 27, 2022

Ra'am leader Mansour Abbas and party members at the party headquarters in Tamra, on election night, March 23, 2021. (Flash90)

Disillusioned with Ra’am, a new party wants Bedouins to have their own voice

The Islamist Ra'am has long had strong support in the Naqab. But after the party's failures in government, Bedouin citizens are demanding a change.

By Baker Zoubi August 17, 2022

Mansour Abbas, head of the Ra'am party, leads a faction meeting in the Knesset, October 4, 2021. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

Mansour Abbas won’t bring down the Israeli government — for his own sake

The Ra'am leader froze his party's membership in the gov't following the violent crackdown at Al-Aqsa. Here's why quitting isn't an option.

By Samah Salaime April 19, 2022

MK Ayman Odeh, head of the Joint List, and MK Ahmad Tibi attend a faction meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem, March 7, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

Bennett’s coalition crisis puts Palestinian parties in a dilemma

Facing disgruntled voters and the threat of Netanyahu's return, the Joint List appears conflicted about whether to provide a lifeline to the government.

By Wadea Awawdy April 11, 2022

Mossi Raz speaks at a Meretz central committee meeting, Tel Aviv, July 28, 2019. (Gili Yaari/Flash90)

What keeps this Israeli leftist in a pro-occupation government?

MK Mossi Raz opens up about being part of a coalition that is 'moving to the right' on the occupation, and whether his Meretz party truly promotes Jewish-Arab partnership.

By Yoad Winter-Segev October 4, 2021

Mansour Abbas, head of the Ra'am party arrives to coalition talks, at the Maccabiah village in Ramat Gan, June 2, 2021. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)

Israel has a new ‘good Arab’ in government

Mansour Abbas claims that his role in the new Israeli coalition is 'historic.' But most Palestinian citizens know better, and are choosing a different direction.

By Rami Younis June 3, 2021

Ra'am party leader Mansour Abbas speaks during a press conference in Nazareth, April 1, 2021. (David Cohen/Flash90)

Mansour Abbas doesn’t stand a chance against the forces of Jewish supremacy

Abbas had hoped his new status as 'kingmaker' would allow him to influence Israeli politics. But he is no match for Bezalel Smotrich and the far right.

By Meron Rapoport April 5, 2021

Ra'am leader Mansour Abbas (center) speaks to his supporters on election night in the city of Tamra, March 23, 2021. (Oren Ziv)

How an Islamist became Israel’s unlikely political kingmaker

The fall of the Joint List and rise of Ra'am's Mansour Abbas show that Israeli politics can no longer ignore Palestinian citizens — even if it may end up boosting the right.

By Edo Konrad March 24, 2021