Tensions between Arab parties Ra’am and Hadash have slowed efforts to form a united slate for this year’s elections, though both parties insist that talks are continuing.

The parties have dismissed Hebrew media reports that a weekend summit held in Nazareth — the first such meeting since the factions signed an agreement in January to work toward running together — ended in an “explosive” breakdown.

A Hadash source told The Times of Israel on Sunday that the central source of tensions between the parties remains the fact that Ra’am has dragged its feet on presenting a unity framework — apparently the sole commitment made by the Arab factions in a January summit in Sakhnin.

At that meeting, the Islamist Ra’am, communist Arab-majority Hadash, secularist Ta’al, and nationalist Balad signed an agreement to work toward running together in the next election, following public pressure on the factions to unite and boost their influence in national politics.

At the same time, sources from both parties rejected reports that the summit in Nazareth descended into chaos, including claims that Ra’am leader Mahmoud Abbas was prevented from speaking.

While acknowledging that there was a “heated meeting,” the source added that “such disagreements are natural” and said that another meeting will take place in the coming weeks.

Ra’am MK Yasir Hujeirat similarly told The Times of Israel that reports of a deadlock or impasse were........

© The Times of Israel