Israeli Islamist party to accept first Jewish candidates at next elections

The next set of Israeli elections must be held by October this year, with polls suggesting a tight race between the current coalition parties and the opposition. According to the average of polls, Ra’am would be expected to win between four and six seats, potentially giving it the chance to swing the balance of power.

The new policy is believed to be designed to improve its legitimacy in the eyes of the Israeli public and broaden its support base beyond Muslim voters. It will also open the possibility of Druze and Christian candidates, as well as Jews.

Confirming the shift yesterday, party leader Mansour Abbas said: "Every citizen of the State of Israel – Jewish and Arab – can join Ra’am and be among its Knesset candidates.

"I want to expand the ranks of the party within Jewish society.

"There are Jewish Knesset members with whom I see eye to eye, and I would be honoured if they joined Ra’am."

The move follows Ra'am announcing last month that it would disaffiliate from the Southern Branch after Prime Minister Netanyahu implied that it too could be banned.

"The Muslim Brotherhood is an organisation that threatens stability throughout the Middle East and beyond," he said in November.

"For that reason, the State of Israel has already banned part of this organisation, and we are working to complete this process soon."

Abbas has denied any connections with the Muslim Brotherhood and said: “Ra’am is moving in the direction of becoming a completely civil [non-religious] party.

“Ra’am must give expression to new communities, and that is what we are doing.”