Tensions between Jewish-Arab Hadash and Islamist Ra’am party during a weekend summit held in Nazareth — the first such meeting since the factions signed an agreement in January to work toward running together in a renewed Joint List.  According to Zo Haderekh, Ra’am has dragged its feet on presenting a unity framework as Hadash and three Arab parties’ commitment in the first summit held on January in Sakhnin.

Leaders of Hadash and three Arab parties celebrate after signing an agreement to work towards a Joint List, Sakhnin, January 22, 2026 (Photo: Al Ittihad)

At that meeting, Hadash, Ra’am, Ta’al, and Balad signed an agreement to work toward running together in the next election, following public pressure on the factions to unite and boost their influence in Israeli politics.

According to Zo Haderekh, Ra’am leader MK Mahmoud Abbas has held up talks for months over the demand that the bloc be formed as merely a technical alliance, which would split back into separate parties immediately following elections — to allow Ra’am the option of joining a Zionist governmental coalition separately.  

However, Hadash insist that talks are continuing and the main common goal is replace Netanyahu and the far-right government  Elections are set to be held in October, with successive polls, showing the Joint List winning 15-17 seats, compared to 11 seats they are predicted to get if they run separately Hadash-Ta’al (6) and Ra’am (5).

Related: https://maki.org.il/en/?p=33286