Mansour Abbas agrees to recognize Hamas as terrorist organization in exchange for coalition partnership - report
The Ra'am leader's conditional offer could clear the final hurdle to joining an Eisenkot-led coalition, after meeting three of the four requirements set by the Yashar leader
Ra'am leader Mansour Abbas announced that he was willing to recognize Hamas as a terrorist organization in exchange for a 'real coalition partnership' with Eisenkot's bloc, Ynet reported on Tuesday.
Abbas had previously refused to recognize Hamas as a terrorist organization, citing threats to his life and the lives of his family members over the issue. However, this was set as a condition for his participation in any coalition across the board.
Gadi Eisenkot set several conditions for any party willing to join a coalition with him. Ra'am fulfilled three of the four, with recognition of Hamas as a terrorist organization being the remaining condition.
Following the announcement, Democrats leader Yair Golan indicated his support for the move, saying: "I don't think this is an obstacle for him. I believe that all the statements and declarations will come as a result of negotiations."
Abbas and Ra'am have condemned Hamas's terror attacks and have said they support they support the total disarmament of Hamas, as proposed by US President Donald Trump.