Ra'am Chairman Alleges Netanyahu Trusted Hamas Leader During 2021 Meeting

Mansour Abbas, the chairman of the Ra'am party and a member of the Knesset, has made significant claims regarding a private meeting held with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in 2021. Abbas stated that during this conversation, which took place at the official residence on Balfour Street amid Operation Guardian of the Walls, Netanyahu expressed a level of trust in then-Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar that surprised him.

In an interview broadcast by N12 on Tuesday, Abbas recounted the specific words he attributes to the prime minister. He alleged that Netanyahu told him, 'Yahya Sinwar and I understand each other.' Abbas described his reaction to hearing this, noting that he was stunned by the prime minister's assertion that he and the Hamas chief shared a mutual understanding.

The Ra'am leader further claimed that Netanyahu referred to a direct message he had received from Sinwar. According to Abbas, the prime minister asked him, 'Didn't you see what he sent me?' This question prompted Abbas to reveal that he had no prior knowledge of the correspondence before that specific conversation.

The letter in question, which Sinwar sent through intermediaries, contained the phrase 'calculated risk.' The message was written in Hebrew and was part of earlier contacts aimed at establishing an arrangement for the Gaza Strip. Abbas explained that the content of this letter was previously disclosed as part of those diplomatic efforts, but he learned of its existence directly from Netanyahu during their meeting.

It is important to note that these statements reflect Abbas's version of the exchange. While he has previously discussed the frequency of his meetings with Netanyahu at Balfour Street during the 2021 operation, this interview marks the first time he has detailed the specific content of their conversation regarding Sinwar.

Abbas used the interview to offer a harsh critique of Netanyahu's conduct. He argued that the trust placed in Sinwar led to a neglect of public safety. 'He trusted Yahya Sinwar, went to sleep at night, and abandoned the security of the citizens of the State of Israel,' Abbas said, emphasizing the consequences of that perceived confidence.

The former statements have left a lasting impression on Abbas, influencing his views on accountability. He stated that the remarks stayed with him and led him to believe he had a duty to testify before a state commission of inquiry. 'Every time I thought about a state commission of inquiry, I told myself I must stand before the commission and tell them these things,' he explained.

This revelation comes against the backdrop of political contacts that existed between the Likud and Ra'am parties during Operation Guardian of the Walls. While Abbas had acknowledged the meetings themselves in the past, his current claims focus specifically on the dialogue about Sinwar, suggesting a deeper level of engagement or trust between the two political figures than previously detailed.

The claims have added a new dimension to the ongoing discussions about the leadership's approach to the conflict and the management of security affairs during the 2021 escalation. Abbas's testimony adds a personal account to the historical record of interactions between Israeli leadership and Hamas representatives during that period.