MK Sami Abou Shahadeh wins primary vote in Arab nationalist faction, with alliance of Arab parties reportedly considering expelling conservative Ra'am faction

Mansour Abbas, leader of Ra'am faction in Joint List, gives interview to right-wing TV network, sparking accusation from Balad faction that he's effectively quitting the party

Blue and White MK defends bid to woo Arab support, while admitting it's 'not the government we wanted'; says another national vote would be a 'catastrophe'

Blue and White head tells some Joint List MKs he is committed to forming a government for Jews and Arabs, but does not include Balad head Mtanes Shihadeh in calls

Gantz insists that only he calls shot in party, after report that right-wingers opposed to Joint List partnership facing being booted, says he and Liberman agreed to work together

Blue and White must agree written deal with Arab alliance, annul controversial laws seen as discriminatory, says Mtanes Shihadeh - still noncommittal on his Balad faction's backing

Blue and White chief speaks to senior MKs of the other factions in Joint List; Mtanes Shihadeh says he does not want to talk

The secular Arab nationalist party is opposed to exclusively Jewish statehood, has long courted controversy with members such as Azmi Bishara, Hanin Zoabi and Basel Ghattas

'A hate crime like this against a youth because of his sexual identity is unacceptable,' Balad MK says as police continue hunt for suspect

Hadash official says factions want to announce unified slate within two weeks; Balad MK says parties yet to iron out seat distribution