Herzog Presses Ra'am Leader Abbas on Hamas Terror Designation at Residence
During consultations at the President's Residence, President Isaac Herzog pressed Ra'am leader Mansour Abbas on refusing to designate Hamas as a terrorist organization, as Abbas defended his role as a political bridge.
President Isaac Herzog pressed Ra'am leader Mansour Abbas during consultations at the President's Residence, directly asking why the party refuses to designate Hamas as a terrorist organization. Abbas responded by citing security concerns for himself and his family, emphasizing that his party categorically opposes terrorism and violence while striving to act as a bridge for reconciliation.
During the tense exchange, Herzog reiterated that Israel is engaged in a war against a heinous terrorist organization and questioned whether Ra'am could be part of a government actively fighting terror. Abbas deflected the question regarding security policy, stating that his faction entered politics to improve Jewish-Arab relations rather than manage defense affairs. He also criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, arguing that responsibility for the security failures regarding the Gaza Strip lies with the head of government.
Abbas further addressed the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict, asserting that both nations have lost their aspiration for peace and that mutual recognition of national rights is essential. Eyal Shuyki, Director-General of the President's Residence, also pressed Abbas on the matter, asking why a clear condemnation of Hamas could not be made to silence skeptics. Abbas maintained that preserving his role as a political bridge requires protecting his personal safety and avoiding inflammatory rhetoric.
