# Netanyahu sought private talks with Palestinian party leader despite public attacks

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/netanyahu-sought-private-talks-with-palestinian-party-leader-despite-public-attacks/
- Published: 2026-11-11T13:07:18+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-11T13:23:05+00:00
- Original publisher: Middle East Eye (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/netanyahu-sought-private-talks-palestinian-party-leader-despite-public-attacks
- Topics: Government, Middle East, Politics, World

## Key points

- Abbas says Netanyahu privately sounded him out about coalition plans.
- Netanyahu publicly accused Palestinian parties of threatening Israel’s existence.
- The United Arab List rejects the claims and backs a two-state solution.

## Summary

United Arab List leader Mansour Abbas says Benjamin Netanyahu held private talks with him through an associate, even as the prime minister publicly accused Palestinian parties of seeking to undermine Israel. Abbas said Netanyahu wanted to know whether his party would support a law barring an indicted lawmaker from becoming prime minister and whether it planned to join a coalition to replace his government.

The United Arab List and Joint List won 19 seats combined, giving them significant influence after increased turnout among Palestinian voters in Israel. Abbas rejected claims that his party supports terrorism or seeks an Islamist or Arab state, saying it supports peace and a two-state solution; he also said Netanyahu’s speech had put his family at risk and that threats had been made. Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot condemned the speech, and his party cancelled planned coalition talks with Likud.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.