Israel's Supreme Court has disqualified the leader of the far-right Jewish Power party, Michael Ben-Ari, from next month's elections.

In doing so, it overturned an earlier decision by the electoral committee.

Mr Ben-Ari has faced criticism over his comments about Israeli Arabs. Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit has said they amount to "incitement to racism".

The court also reinstated Israeli Arab parties previously banned from contesting the 9 April poll.

They had been barred from standing for their critical remarks about the state of Israel and the Israel Defense Forces.

Ahead of the elections, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had forged an alliance with several far-right parties to try to shore up support.

His right-wing Likud party is seen as a strong contender despite an investigation into corruption allegations against him.

All governments in Israel are coalitions because the country's system of proportional representation makes it unlikely for single parties to be able to govern alone. (BBC)