Ra'am MK says 'not optimistic' coalition talks will bear fruit

Ra’am MK Mazen Ghanaim expresses pessimism about the prospects a deal will be reached to form a government, despite reports of progress in coalition negotiations with the Islamist party.

“We had the courage to say that we want to be a legitimate player in Israeli politics, but apparently our declarations won’t bear fruit in the end,” Ghanaim tells the Kan public broadcaster.

He adds: “Mansour Abbas is attacked from all sides — from within the Arab community, also from the Israeli right. Despite this, he is sitting at Kfar Maccabiah for two days already to bring an achievement for the Arab community. From what is happening in the negotiations behind closed doors, I’m not optimistic.”