Tibi Said to Drop Objection to Joint List Revival Framework

Ta'al chairman Ahmad Tibi has removed his objection to the National Reconciliation Committee's framework for reconstituting the Joint List, according to reports Tuesday evening, clearing the main obstacle to a united Arab slate before the filing deadline in early September. The framework places Hadash's Yosef Jabareen first, Tibi second and Balad's Sami Abu Shahada third. Tibi froze contacts on August 9 after the committee assigned Ta'al the second and ninth slots, demanding the sixth or seventh for its second candidate. He is reported to receive the joint faction chairmanship, a Knesset deputy speaker post and a seat on the Finance Committee.