Abbas cracked open Israel's political map after long years of paralysis – from a game of recognition to a game of influence. He's an exceptional politician who not only heads a pragmatic Arab party, but also undermines the very facade of Israeli politicsShani Pocker04:41 AM • July 26 2026 IDTMansour Abbas, thanks to whom the Bennett-Lapid "government of change" was formed, could well turn out to be the deciding factor in the upcoming election as well. The fact that it's possible to imagine a saner government being established in the wake of the October 27 vote is related to Abbas' actions in 2021, which ultimately changed the map of the party blocs. Loading...Click the alert icon to follow topics:KnessetIsraeli politicsArab IsraelisMansour AbbasCommentsLoading...In the NewsIn the News: Live UpdatesWest BankNetanyahuIranKarim KhanGadi EisenkotIsrael ElectionsHaQuizHaaretz PodcastHow Arab Party Leader Mansour Abbas Changed Israel's Political GameEnd the Hasbara Campaigns: Israel Needs Accountability Not More Public RelationsIDF Bars Palestinians From West Bank Settlements for the Coming DaysIsrael Caught Off Guard as Trump Decided Last Minute Not to Strike IranUN Chief Slams Israel's Holding of Golan Heights in First Visit to Postwar SyriaRemembering and rebuilding two years laterICYMIAs Ground Invasion Looms, U.S. and Iran Want Wild-card Israel Out of the FightThe Original Ozempic Society of Ancient RomeBetween Messi and Milei: How Argentina Became Israel's Team at the World Cup'Choose Hope': Natalie Portman Backs Arab-Jewish Party Ahead of Israeli ElectionAn Israeli Election Surprise Called the DemocratsEd Miliband, the U.K.'s New Foreign Secretary – and His History With Israel