Unmasking Mansour Abbas: The Man Behind the Persona

Many citizens of Israel are outraged at the current government for breaking campaign promises and forming a coalition with the Muslim Brotherhood. Journalist and investigator Elchanan Gruner channeled his frustration into a media campaign to expose the hidden agendas and secrets of the Ra'am party. So, how effective is he? Even Mansour Abbas threatened a lawsuit over Gruner's revealing publications, which caused significant embarrassment to Ra'am. "We're still waiting for that threat to materialize," Gruner says with a laugh in our special interview, adding, "They know everything we've published is true, and such a lawsuit would only add to their embarrassment and further expose their true face."

Gruner, who's become a thorn in the side of Abbas and his government colleagues, is a 31-year-old resident of Yitzhar. Serving as an editor and investigative journalist for 'The Jewish Voice' for several years, Gruner has been at the center of various controversies, notably when he was investigated by the police after sharing a video of an IDF detective smiling shortly after the tragic death of Ahuvia Sandak, Z"L. The post was removed by the cyber department, but the incident sparked outrage and accusations of muzzling the press.

Elchanan Gruner (Photo: Kaleb Blank)

At the start of our conversation, Gruner clarifies: "For years, the media platform I work for has tackled issues considered 'not politically correct,' shedding light on real problems facing the Israeli state and its right wing, even if inconvenient for the left." According to him, Ra'am's entry into the government was the catalyst, allowing him to reveal the true faces of these party members to the public. "We constantly deal with the Muslim Brotherhood issue, and upon their government entrance, their political peers, and even mainstream media, lightly portrayed them as friendly and pleasant people. However, the real picture is vastly different."

The Drucker Silencer

Since this government formed, Gruner has been almost alone at the forefront, conducting a series of investigations that exposed Ra'am's true nature. After a sensational report revealing Ra'am's 'Aid 48' association's support for Hamas, journalist Raviv Drucker tried downplaying the connection. But Gruner insists the reality is different.

"Raviv Drucker aired an interview on Channel 13 News with Razi Issa, director of 'Aid 48,' at the center of an investigation by Ayala Hasson. During the interview, Issa denied support for the families of shahids (martyrs), as left-wing journalists claimed. Drucker defended Abbas, embarrassed by the revelations, saying, 'He doesn’t admit to giving money to shahid families, claiming they don't discriminate in aid distribution.' But we countered with another equally shocking investigation.

During Operation Protective Edge, Senior Ra'am officials raised funds specifically for shahid families using rhetoric particularly harsh toward Israel. They described Israel's actions in Gaza as 'state terrorism,' calling for international trials against 'Israeli war criminals—politicians and soldiers.' The campaign solicited donations under the tagline 'Supporting Gaza's Brave Shahid Families,' with a call to join the 'Pride for Gaza' relief mission, a campaign supporting terrorists' families. This fundraising happened under Ra'am's 'Aid 48,' now denying it all, calling it a 'mistake' if Hamas-affiliated entities received donations."

Gruner points another accusing finger at the campaign's Ra'am coordinator, Ibrahim Hijazi. "Hijazi, head of the Islamic movement's political office and a close advisor to Mansour Abbas," Gruner notes. Drucker described Hijazi as 'Ra'am's strongman' on his show 'The Source.' Furthermore, Hijazi claimed, 'We must sponsor shahid children, and I pray for Gaza's victory.' Through this investigation, we debunked claims that Ra'am didn't support shahids. No wonder it embarrassed Abbas further."

Mansour Abbas (Photo: Hadas Proosh)

But that's not all. If the previous investigation wasn't enough—linking only assistants, advisors, and an association with Ra'am and Abbas—Gruner continues to reveal harsh truths about Israel's Islamic party. He published statements from Ra'am's sixth parliamentary candidate, Alaadin Jabarin, expressing support for Hamas assaults on Israel. According to Gruner, "Jabarin posted a text and video on June 9, 2018, just ten days after terrorist rocket attacks from Gaza on Israel, where 200 rockets were fired. The accompanying text speaks volumes," Gruner emphasizes, "talking about 'honored shahid... breaking the fast in Jerusalem... capital of Palestine... leaving no option but victory or martyrdom.'"

"The video clearly supports missile attacks on Israel," Gruner boldly states. "With background music declaring, 'We reclaim our rights with resolve,' featuring terrorists brandishing and launching rockets at Israel, this leaves no doubt about supporting these attacks. The video also shows Israeli flags burning, stone-throwing, and tire fires. It includes a meeting of former COGAT Head Moti Almoz with an Arab leader, with lyrics against normalization with Israel."

If anyone reads this and insists it's just an unrealistic sixth candidate on the list, Gruner's reports present troubling information about senior party figures: Ra'am's second candidate and current Knesset member declaring support for terrorists who murdered Jews. "In a report titled 'Ra'am Leaders Continue Supporting Terrorists', Gruner revealed number two on the list, MK Mazen Ghnaim, former Mayor of Sakhnin, declared on El-Najah News that Ra'am works behind the scenes for prisoners. "Ra'am can't forget the Palestinian prisoners issue," he says, expressing the party's commitment to the cause."

"This isn’t a new reality," Gruner clarifies. "For years, Ra'am members helped terrorists imprisoned in Israel, and senior party figure Ibrahim Sarsour previously handled the issue. Even the southern Islamic Movement leader Sheikh Abu Dabbas, considered influential in Ra'am, often visited terrorist families."

Gruner emphasizes his crusade against Ra'am has intensified. "We constantly expose the truth about this dangerous movement, through investigations and podcasts with Michael Ben Ari on the 'Muslim Brotherhood's' peril. Senior Ra'am figure recently claimed those accusing them of extremism misunderstand: 'We’re playing along to stay out of jail,' she said. In Hebrew, A, but in Arabic, B – declaring coexistence in Hebrew, yet supporting terror in Arabic. It’s simple enough not needing further explanation."

"Even Innocent Budgets Fund Problematic Causes"

Yet the government and media say Ra'am helps Israeli Arabs civilly, avoiding controversial issues?

"That's completely false," Gruner counters. "How is a party, whose sixth candidate supports Gaza rocket fire and second calls terrorists Arabs' crowning pride, above law, let alone government collaborators with budgets and power? The Muslim Brotherhood's method aims domination through Islamization, including attacking dissenters, like Jews.

"Through the known Arabic term: 'Taqqiya,' meaning deception—pretending to be kosher. With deceit, they gain budgets and power. Even civil issues are Islamic: clinics near mosques serve Islam, promoting mosque attendance over healthcare."

"Israelis must grasp the notion that their goals, and that of the outlawed northern faction supporting terrorism, match Hamas. They differ only in tactics. My recent exposé focuses on this, revealing a senior Ra'am member, Razi Issa, known from my reports, participated in a major event during the 'Magnetometer Crisis,' inviting Sheikh Abu Khaled, Ra'am's spiritual head and Abbas's boss, to speak—praising him as 'Sheikh Yassin’s successor.' Yassin, remember, founded Hamas, an undeniable terrorist. This wasn’t a slip but policy. They operate wisely, following our own lore of wisdom in the nations, acting shrewdly."

How do you feel about the media response to your investigations?

"Our stories indeed spread across various outlets, a correct step though delayed until a political agenda arose. Former PM Netanyahu initially legitimized Ra'am, and unfortunately, many supported it, including right-wing individuals. They ignored that billions poured into Arab society could ultimately strengthen them, boosting the party to seven or eight seats, achieving goals like eradicating the Arab Joint List—unifying Arab forces with fanaticism, a realistic option, while bolstering Islam."

"Abbas," Gruner continues, "didn't part on a whim or gamble by running separately; he knew he would succeed. His sole aim and his movement’s is advancing Islam and embedding it among Israeli Arabs while undermining us Jews."

(Photo: Yonatan Sindel/Flash 90)

PM Bennett was previously considered right-leaning. How do you explain his support for creating a government with this extreme party?

"This proves the prevalent theory in religious Zionism that internal influence is bankrupt, invalid before yielding results. Previously, we claimed a religious police commissioner would change conditions, as would a religious Shin Bet head, shifting institutional attitudes toward religion and religious Zionism. We observed this with religious commissioners, evidenced by their actions, and a Shin Bet head during the Duma affair and tortured detainees. This reality shows if unclear guidelines are absent, the system shapes the person, not vice versa. This understanding emphasizes relying solely on individuals or Messianic redemption rather than tangible change."

But meanwhile, we haven’t seen drastic measures from this government?

"The government is just beginning," Gruner notes, "However, it's set steps against Judaism and the right, reforming Kashrut and conversions, as well as religious aspects of the Western Wall. The tangible damage will take time, let's hope it doesn't materialize."