Who they are

• Founded 1996 as the political wing of the Islamic Movement's Southern Branch. In 2021 it became the first independent Arab party in an Israeli government. (Wikipedia)
• Opened membership to all Israelis in Jan 2026 and declared its split from the Shura Council complete in July 2026. (Times of Israel; MEF)
• Barred by the Elections Committee Sept 23; reinstated 9–0 by the Supreme Court Oct 2. (Times of Israel, Sep 23; JPost, Oct 2, 2026)

Who votes for them

• 2022: 194,047 votes, 4.07%, 5 seats. (Wikipedia)
• Took 35.2% of the Arab and Druze vote in 2022, and 73.9% in the Negev. (IDI, Dec 25, 2022)
• Strongholds: the Negev and the Triangle; now seeking Christian and Druze voters, with a 7–8 seat target. (Ynet, 2026)

Where they stand

Haredi draft

No 2026 position found

Courts

No 2026 position found

War & Gaza

Asked whether Hamas is a terror group to be destroyed: “I have a straight answer; I just don't want to say it.” (INN, Jul 28, 2026)

West Bank

“The state of Palestine exists and stands… We want them to recognize it too.” (Aug 22, 2026, via MEF)

Religion & state

Earlier: “Israel was born as a Jewish state, and it will remain so.” The AG told the committee Abbas recognizes Israel's Jewish character. (Times of Israel, Sep 23, 2026)

Economy

Budgets, planning, housing and jobs for Arab towns; seeks the violence and crime portfolio. No full manifesto. (Aug 31, 2026)

Names on the list

• No. 1Mansour Abbas
• No. 2Yoav Segalovitz, Jewish former police commander; joined Aug 31
• —Walid Taha, on the Aug 22 slate; final slot not confirmed

JPost; Times of Israel, Aug 31, 2026

Coalition pledges

• Open to any coalition, including one led by Likud. (Times of Israel)
• Eisenkot said Sept 26 that Abbas “won't be part of my next government.” Segalovitz: “Eisenkot won't have a government without Ra'am.” (Times of Israel, Sep 26, 2026)

In their words

“I am going to an Arab party. They are not coming to me.”

Seats in each poll

Average 5 across 6 polls (Channel 14 not included).

Bios

Mansour Abbas. Born 1974 in Maghar; a dentist and imam. Describes himself as “an Arab, a Palestinian, a Muslim, and a citizen of the State of Israel.” Ra'am chair since 2018.

Yoav Segalovitz (no. 2). Jewish, 67. Former commander of Lahav 433 and head of the police Investigations Division; former deputy public security minister. Joins Ra'am's Knesset faction, not the party (JPost; Times of Israel, Aug 31, 2026).

Bio source: Wikipedia, accessed Oct 2026, via the research memo and party registers.