Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich claims PM Netanyahu intended to form a government with Islamist party leader Mansour Abbas after the last elections.
In a political revelation that could shake Israel’s right-wing base, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, chairman of the Religious Zionism Party, has publicly claimed for the first time that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intended to form a governing coalition with Ra’am leader Mansour Abbas following the most recent Knesset elections.
“This was the intention after the last Knesset elections,” Smotrich declared during a televised interview with Channel 14 News.
Seated beside him on the set of The Patriots, host Yinon Magal appeared to validate the claim. Without denying it, Magal replied:
“What happened, I agree with you.”
The disclosure underscores the deep political divisions and shifting alliances in Israeli politics, particularly regarding cooperation with Ra’am — an Islamist party that has been a lightning rod for controversy on the right.
While Netanyahu has faced speculation in the past about courting Abbas to secure a majority, Smotrich’s statement is the most direct assertion yet from within the Prime Minister’s own political camp, potentially reigniting tensions with his nationalist and religious allies.
