Key facts
- Mansour Abbas, leader of the United Arab List party, stated that an independent Palestinian state is a reality.
- He called on Israel to recognize this state.
- Abbas's comments were made during a speech at his party's convention.
- Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu criticized Abbas's statement.
- Yashar party chief Gadi Eisenkot also stated that there is no Palestinian state.
Mansour Abbas, the leader of Israel's United Arab List (UAL) party, has declared that an independent Palestinian state is already a reality, recognized by most of the world, and urged Israel to acknowledge it. Speaking at his party's convention in Tayibe, Abbas emphasized his desire to work towards peace, rapprochement, and an end to the occupation and conflict.
The UAL made history in June 2021 by becoming the first Arab-majority party to join an Israeli governing coalition.
Abbas's remarks, however, faced strong opposition. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded by stating that the "price of a left-wing coalition with the Muslim Brotherhood has been exposed once again." Gadi Eisenkot, chief of the Yashar party, also asserted that "there is no Palestinian state."