Idit Silman of New Hope, chairwoman of the Israeli government’s ruling coalition, announced her resignation from the coalition early this morning (Wednesday).
Less than 10 months after it was established, the Bennett government is losing its majority in the Knesset and nearing its end, after coalition chairwoman Idit Silman announced her resignation from the coalition amid deep ideological disagreements with the left — The coalition and opposition is now tied at 60-60.
On Sunday Silman said that Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz cannot “continue to be a minister” because of statement that he’d allow chometz to be brought into Israeli hospitals on Pesach due to “religious freedom. This is reportedly the issue she has resigned over.
The future of the current government hangs in the balance with no clear coalition and the potential of another election on the horizon.
As of now, the opposition still has no way of replacing the government or dissolving the Knesset, as they need a 61 seat majority for that. Not to mention that the Joint List might choose not to cooperate with the right wing opposition.
— Politics of Israel (@politicsIsrael_) April 6, 2022
Israel’s government was thrown into crisis after a senior lawmaker quit the coalition, leaving it without a majority in Parliament.
Idit Silman’s resignation followed prolonged tensions among leftist, secular, Arab and right-wing members of the coalition.https://t.co/5ICVUIOiMG
— The New York Times (@nytimes) April 6, 2022
Former Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu said that he was “excited to hear the news of Idit Silman’s leaving the government coalition, and was confident that the driving factor in her decision was, “her concern for the wellbeing of the State of Israel,” Arutz Sheva reports.
“I welcome you home to the national camp with open arms,” continued Netanyahu, adding that, “You’ve proven that public servants care for the wellbeing of their constituents, urging, “all those elected with the votes of the nationalist camp to return home”, “where you will be received with open arms.”
Former Prime Minister Netanyahu congratulates MK Silman for resigning from the Bennett government:
עידית סילמן – ברוכה השבה הביתה לימין 🇮🇱 pic.twitter.com/vCQYlFJ97I
— Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) April 6, 2022
Outgoing coalition chair Idit Silman is getting lots of kudos from members of the Knesset.
The Chairman of the Religious Zionism party in Israel, MK Bezalel Smotrich, responded to coalition chair Idit Silman’s quitting the government, leading to it losing its current majority and a possible election in the coming future, Arutz Sheva reports.
“This is the dawn of a new day – the beginning of the end for Bennett’s non-Zionist left-wing government and the Islamic Movement, and its replacement by a Jewish, Zionist coalition. Much praise to MK Silman for the courage to do the difficult but right thing that needed to be done…,” said Smotrich in praise of the MK’s move.
Noam party chairman MK Avi Maoz praised her decision to bolt the Bennett-Lapid government.
“Welcome back, Idit,” he said. “You acquired Olam Haba (the World to Come) in an hour’s time. A lot of respect to you for keeping your eyes on the significance of Jewish identity. Together, we will return the State of Israel to the Jewish people and its status as a Jewish state.”
