Report: Netanyahu confidante Eshel held contacts with Mansour Abbas

Netanyahu associate Natan Eshel reportedly reached out to Ra'am leader Mansour Abbas regarding coalition formation, despite Netanyahu's public criticism of Arab parties.

Natan Eshel, a close associate of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, held contacts with Ra'am leader Mansour Abbas regarding the potential formation of a government backed by Arab parties, according to reports from Arutz 7 and Behadrei Haredim. These outreach efforts reportedly occurred even as Netanyahu publicly attacked the idea of relying on Arab political factions.

According to N12, some of Eshel's communications with Abbas involved inquiries about whether he would support Gadi Eisenkot in a vote concerning the draft law. Netanyahu has reportedly expressed surprise at his associate's actions. Further details regarding the content of these discussions have not yet been released.