Arab MK: ‘No way’ we would back Sa’ar for PM

Joint List MK Ahmad Tibi says there’s “no way” his party would recommend that New Hope leader Gideon Sa’ar be tasked with forming the next coalition following the March 2021 elections.

After the vote, the president consults with all political parties and gathers their recommendations for the next prime minister. The Joint List recommended Benny Gantz after the previous election, only to see the centrist former IDF chief join Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Illustrative: Joint List party member Ahmad Tibi speaks during a Knesset plenary session on February 17, 2020. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

“There is no way we would recommend Gideon Sa’ar for the premiership,” Tibi tells Army Radio. “You don’t always have to recommend someone. Instead of recommending generals, should we go with the worst inciters against the Arabs?”

Sa’ar opposes the establishment of a Palestinian state and is to the right of Netanyahu on many issues.