Israel: Arab MKs undecided on whether to back Gantz

Arab Israeli MK Mtanes Shehadeh said yesterday that the Joint List has not recommended chairman of the Blue and White bloc Benny Gantz for premiership yet, Al Watan Voice reported.

“Gantz has not yet decided to meet with the Joint List,” Shehadeh said, adding: “We have preconditions for meeting him.”

On Sunday, the Joint List announced its agreement on proposing a bill that prevents recommending a criminally indicted candidate from forming the government. This comes as incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing a hearing on charges of bribery and corruption next week.

The Israeli newspaper Haaretz said that the Joint List is reluctant to back Gantz as he “repeatedly and categorically ruled out any cooperation” with them.

However, the Joint List might recommend Gantz if he agrees to publicly reveres his remarks about the Arab community in Israel.

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