Netanyahu sought private talks with Palestinian party leader despite public attacks

The leader of the United Arab List, Mansour Abbas, said on Wednesday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had held private talks with him through a close associate, despite publicly branding Palestinian parties "terror supporters who hate Israel". "He was interested in our position on the law barring an indicted lawmaker from serving as prime minister, and whether we really intended to enter a coalition and replace Netanyahu's government," Abbas told Kan public radio. "When it serves his interests, Arab citizens suddenly become legitimate, he becomes 'Abu Yair', and Mansour Abbas becomes a worthy partner in his eyes." The Palestinian-led United Arab List (Ra'am) and the Joint List won a record 19 seats combined, following a surge in turnout among Palestinian voters in Israel, giving them the balance of power. In a speech to parliament on Tuesday evening, Netanyahu said the United Arab List and the Joint List were seeking to end Israel’s existence, adding that the two parties disagreed only on "what kind of state will arise on its ruins". Read more: Netanyahu sought private talks with Palestinian party leader despite public attacks