Joint List's Tibi says his party will not join coalition, supports replacing Knesset speaker

On Sunday, Tibi announced a plan to support an alternative government from outside the coalition in exchange for commitments to address the needs of Arab society.

Joint List chairman MK Ahmad Tibi said that his party will not join the coalition in a "Meet the Press" interview on Saturday.

"We will not be a part of the government," he said, noting that he and his fellow party members want to make the coalition process "easier, not harder."

He noted that the Joint List supports the replacement of Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana and that he will vote against any Likud constructive motions of no confidence against a potential government.

Tibi: Will support Knesset from outside in exchange for agreements on Arab issues

Tibi added that he will not initiate any bills to dissolve the Knesset and will support the coalition from the outside in return for certain agreements, including on the topics of addressing Arab crime and recognizing Bedouin villages.

The comment followed an announcement on Sunday of a two-stage plan proposing to support an alternative government from outside the coalition in exchange for commitments addressing the needs of Arab society.

The plan further served to prevent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from remaining in power after the elections if neither bloc formed a majority.