Ra'am Opens First Primaries Since Split From Shura Council

Ra'am will hold internal primaries on August 22 to choose its Knesset slate, the first such contest since the party separated its decision-making from the Shura Council and Islamic Movement. Party leader Mansour Abbas said Ra'am will run independently rather than join a list with Hadash, Ta'al and Balad. Under the announced format, the first three positions will be balanced among candidates from the Galilee, the Triangle and the Negev, with the order determined by the chair's region. The fourth position will be reserved for a woman from any of those regions.