A key member of Naftali’s Yamina party, Bennett, left the Israeli coalition government after a dispute over unleavened bread during Easter, in a surprise move that left the prime minister without a parliamentary majority.
Idit Silman’s statement left Bennett’s coalition, an alliance of parties ranging from the Jewish right and Israeli pigeons to the Arab Muslim Party, with 60 seats, the same as the opposition.
“I tried the path of unity. I worked hard for this coalition, “said Silman, a religious conservative who chaired the coalition. “Unfortunately, I cannot participate in the damage to Israel’s Jewish identity.
On Monday, Silman attacked Health Minister Nietzsche Horowitz after instructing hospitals to allow leavened bread products at their facilities during the upcoming Easter holiday, in line with a recent Supreme Court ruling overturning years of prohibition.
Jewish tradition bars sourdough bread from the public domain during the Passover.
“I am terminating my membership in the coalition and I will try to continue to persuade my friends to return home and form a right-wing government,” Silman said. “I know I’m not the only one who feels that way.”
Bennett’s coalition may continue to rule with 60 seats, but faces difficulties in passing new legislation.
However, if another member of the coalition deviates, the Knesset could hold a no-confidence vote and potentially return Israel to the fifth parliamentary elections in four years.
Dalia Sheindlin, a political analyst, said that if Silman “is the first person to really prepare to overthrow the government, she will do so from the verdict.” “It is religious and I think we all underestimate the power of theology,” Shindlin added.
In an official letter of resignation addressed to Bennett, Silman said: “We must admit that we tried. It is time to recalculate and try to form a national, Jewish, Zionist government.
Following the announcement, Silman was embraced by the same right-wing politicians who have been attacking her relentlessly since she followed Bennett into the ruling coalition last year, rejecting campaign promises.
“Idit, you are proof that what is leading you is the concern for Israel’s Jewish identity, the concern for the land of Israel, and I welcome you back home to the national camp,” opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video.
“I call on everyone who is elected by the votes of the national camp to join Idit and return home, you will be received with all due honor and open arms,” the former right-wing prime minister added.
Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, who served from 1996 to 1999 and again from 2009 to last June, has vowed to play a spoiler role against the Bennett government, which ended his years in power.
At a special session of the Knesset on vacation, Netanyahu said: “There is a weak and weak government in Israel today. His days are numbered. “
The Knesset will meet again on May 8 to resume its legislative work. To form his own coalition without new elections, Netanyahu will need the support of at least 61 lawmakers, which he does not have.
Bezalel Smotric of the Religious Zionism Party, a former political partner of Bennett, expressed gratitude to Silman for her “courage to make the difficult move” and predicted that the ruling coalition would not survive her escape.
“This is the beginning of the end of the left, non-Zionist government of Bennett and the Islamist movement,” he wrote on Twitter.
There was no immediate comment from Bennett, whose Yamina party now holds only five of the 120 seats in parliament.
Add Comment