Meretz chief vows party won’t cause fall of gov’t, ahead of meeting with rebel MK

Meretz chief Nitzan Horowitz says he’ll meet with his left-wing party’s rebel lawmaker Ghaida Rinawie Zoabi tomorrow following her decision to quit the coalition.

Horowitz says Meretz is “completely committed” to the government and vows it won’t be responsible for the government’s fall

“That’s not on the table,” he tells Channel 12 news.

Horowitz, who is health minister, defends being caught off guard by her resignation. “We were all surprised by this,” he says.

He also says he believes Rinawie Zoabi won’t vote for a bill to dissolve the Knesset and hold new elections.

“She understands that… the alternative [to the government] is much worse,” he says.

He is asked about talks on bringing Rinawie Zoabi back to the coalition or having her support the government from outside it.

“The contacts are in a positive direction,” Horowitz says, adding that the “most important thing” for Meretz is the government’s survival.