United Arab list backs Barak

The United Arab list in the Israeli Knesset announced in a statement released on Thursday its backing for the chairman of the Israeli Labor Party, Ehud Barak, for the post of the next Israeli prime minister

Israel Radio said that the democratic front for "peace and equality" has for its part expressed backing for Barak.

Meanwhile, members of Barak's list are pressuring Knesset member and the chairman of the "National Coalition" movement, Azmi Bishara, to withdraw his candidacy for the post of the prime minister in the forthcoming Israeli elections due on May 17.