Ra'am Prioritizes Domestic Issues Over Diplomacy as Voter Turnout Surges

MK Iman Khatib-Yasin of the Ra'am party stated that addressing the internal crises within Arab society takes precedence over advancing a diplomatic resolution. In an interview with local media following preliminary election projections, Khatib-Yasin emphasized that the primary focus of her party remains tackling domestic challenges, notably violent crime.

Reflecting on the strong voter turnout in the Arab sector, the lawmaker expressed deep satisfaction with the community's engagement. She noted that Arab citizens understood the critical juncture of the current political landscape and stepped up to exercise their democratic rights.

While reaffirming Ra'am's long-standing support for the two-state solution and the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state, Khatib-Yasin underscored the urgency of daily survival. "We have not forgotten Palestine and never will, but our sons and daughters are being murdered every single day, and our homes are being demolished," she stated. "First, we must live here with dignity, ensure our security, and achieve a decent standard of living."

Khatib-Yasin also recounted a tense encounter on election day in her hometown of Yafa an-Naseriyye, where a local resident dismissed her as a public representative and hurled hostile remarks, telling her he does not treat enemies with respect. She stressed that such hostility underscores the urgent need to combat racism and foster coexistence.

Meanwhile, Ra'am leader Mansour Abbas pointedly attributed the surge in Arab voter turnout to National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir. Abbas asserted that Ben Gvir's policies and rhetoric pushed Arab citizens to the brink of frustration, effectively mobilizing them to the ballot boxes to demand change.

Abbas further criticized the minister, accusing him of undermining Israeli democratic institutions and operating outside the rule of law. He argued that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu relied on Ben Gvir out of political necessity rather than genuine endorsement.