Full Breakdown
Ra’am Party's Shift Towards Civic Identity
12/7/2025, 9:27:06 PM
Ra’am's Separation from Religious Ties
Mansour Abbas, the chair of the Ra’am party, announced that the party will sever its ties with the religious council it is associated with and establish its own civic institutions. This decision is seen as an effort to distance Ra’am from hardline Muslim organizations and enhance its legitimacy among Zionist Israeli parties. In an interview with Channel 12’s Meet the Press, Abbas emphasized, “First of all, we are not a part of the Muslim Brotherhood. If we were part of the Muslim Brotherhood, I wouldn’t be in the Knesset, I wouldn’t even be sitting with you here.” He indicated that Ra’am is evolving into a completely civic party, with plans to approve these changes at an upcoming conference.
Background on Ra’am's Political Position
Ra’am is currently the political wing of the Southern Islamic Movement, which is inspired by the Muslim Brotherhood, a global Islamist organization that has been banned in several countries due to alleged terrorism links. Abbas has consistently denied any connection between Ra’am and the Brotherhood. The party, which holds five seats in the Knesset, has adopted a more conciliatory approach towards Israel, focusing on socioeconomic issues rather than the more radical positions associated with its sister organization, the Northern Islamic Movement, which is outlawed.
Criticism from Political Opponents
Abbas's announcement has drawn criticism from figures such as Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, leader of the far-right Religious Zionism party. Smotrich labeled Abbas as “a wolf in sheep’s clothing,” accusing him of being an “enemy who supports terror” and attempting to deceive the Israeli public. He further criticized Abbas for not condemning Hamas following the October 7, 2023, massacre, stating, “the right place for him is behind bars, not in the Knesset.” Smotrich has previously called for the disarmament of Palestinian armed groups, including Hamas, but noted that Abbas's party later retracted those statements.
Official Statements & Responses
In response to Abbas's claims, Smotrich reiterated his stance that Abbas's efforts to distance Ra’am from its religious roots are insincere. He accused Abbas of trying to disguise himself as part of the left's strategy to regain power by aligning with “anti-Zionist terror supporters.” Abbas’s refusal to label Hamas as a terrorist organization has further fueled the criticism against him.
What's Next for Ra’am
Ra’am is set to hold a conference next month to formalize its transition towards a civic identity. This move could significantly impact the party's future in Israeli politics, especially as it seeks to maintain its current representation in the Knesset amidst ongoing tensions and scrutiny from both political allies and opponents.
