Israeli Prime Minister (PM) Naftali Bennett’s government lost its razor-thin majority after a lawmaker quit the fragile coalition. The move once again throws the country into political uncertainty less than a year since the shaky coalition was formed.
Idit Silman, a member of Bennett’s Yamina party and the ruling coalition’s whip, quit the coalition over disagreements about the country’s Jewish character. In a letter addressed to Bennett, she objected to the government’s decision to allow bread to be brought into public hospitals, which she argues goes against Jewish religious law, which calls for a ban on leavened food during Passover month.
Israel's government has been thrown into crisis after a senior lawmaker resigned — robbing it of a parliamentary majority.
— Patrick Kingsley (@PatrickKingsley) April 6, 2022
But the government is still in charge.
Parliament is on recess for 5 weeks, & the opposition still doesn't have a majority itselfhttps://t.co/FN3qBI6c1v
“I will not abet the harming of the Jewish identity of the State of Israel and the people of Israel. I will continue to try to persuade my friends to return home and form a right-wing government,” Silman said.
Silman’s decision to leave the government has reduced the coalition’s slender majority in the 120-member Knesset from 61 to 60. Moreover, Israeli media has reported that Silman plans of joining opposition leader and former PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud Party, a move that would level the playing field in the Knesset.
Such a move would also prevent the ruling coalition from passing legislation and it would have to rely upon opposition parties to provide support. There are talks about the coalition seeking help from the Arab Joint List of parties; however, this could backfire, as support from the Arab List could alienate right-wing parties within the coalition.
It is also possible for the ruling coalition to survive until March 2023, when a new budget has to be approved. Failure to pass the budget would lead to the dissolution of the coalition and new elections will be conducted. However, if other members of the coalition defect to the opposition camp, Netanyahu would secure a majority and possibly dissolve the Knesset through a no-confidence vote and call for fresh elections before the budget vote.
.@BarakRavid on Bennett Government teetering. Not because of violating Passover rules; but because of the right's pressure (Netanyahu) on vulnerable coalition members. Stay in your seats; don't head for the exits. Israel may be headed for new elections.https://t.co/YlV2pqFAJg
— Aaron David Miller (@aarondmiller2) April 6, 2022
Such a scenario looks possible, as coalition parties have expressed disappointment with Bennett’s policies. Moreover, even members of his own party—Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked and Member of Knesset (MK) Nir Orbach—have echoed these concerns. For instance, during an emergency meeting called by Bennett on Wednesday, Orbach called Bennett’s use of the term ‘West Bank’ rather than Judea and Samaria “unacceptable.”
Coalition officials, however, told Israeli media that “the bleeding has stopped” and that there will be no defections. Bennett said during the meeting all party leaders had agreed to “continue with this government.” He noted that “an opportunity here to take this event, to learn from it and to fix the gaps that have been created […] the alternative is more elections and maybe more elections after that, and a return to the days of dangerous instability.”
Bennett refused to criticise Silman and instead accused the opposition of harassing her. “Idit suffered persecution for months, verbal harassment at the worst level” from members of the Likud and other right-wing parties, Bennett said. According to several reports, Silman constantly came under pressure from friends and family to quit the coalition and jump ship.
Netanyahu, meanwhile, praised Silman for her “brave decision” and said Likud is willing to “welcome her with open arms.” The former PM also took the opportunity to encourage more coalition members to defect to the opposition. “Everyone in the coalition with a heart and a conscience—come back home. Come back to the right,” he said.
Large right-wing rally held tonight in Jerusalem, attended by opposition leader Bibi Netanyahu, to protest the current government amidst the recent wave of attacks.
— Israeli Reporter (@IsraeliReporter) April 6, 2022
Spirits are high after MK Idit Silman announced her resignation from the coalition government. pic.twitter.com/BYlCIx6nSx
Netanyahu, who is currently on trial for corruption, has repeatedly criticised Bennett’s government for not doing anything to prevent Western powers from signing a nuclear deal with Iran. Likud and other right-wing opposition members have also condemned the government for halting settlement construction in the West Bank.
Israel’s ruling coalition, which is an ideologically incompatible patchwork of parties from the left, right, and centre, was formed in June last year to end Netanyahu’s 12-year stint as PM. The formation of a stable government ended Israel’s political stalemate, which saw the country hold four elections in two years. However, the latest event has threatened to push Israel towards further political turmoil.