Israel's Arab list party pushes Gantz ahead of Netanyahu

Israel's Arab-dominated Joint List party on Sunday backed Benny Gantz to form a new government, making Gantz's bloc of supporters larger than that of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, though still, neither commanded a majority. The Joint List, according to near-final results, won 13 of the Knesset's 120 seats, making it the third-largest grouping.

With their support, Gantz heads a center-left bloc of 57 seats compared to Netanyahu's right-wing bloc of 55. Former Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, whose party secured eight seats, has yet to back Gantz or Netanyahu.

Also Read: Benny Gantz says he should be PM in Israel unity government. (AFP) ZHZH