Meretz MK Ghaida Rinawie Zoabi announced that she is quitting Israel’s ruling government, leaving the coalition with a minority of 59 seats and the opposition with 61 seats.
In a letter addressed to coalition leaders Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, Rinawie Zoabi claimed her move was prompted by a rightward shift by the government.
Her departure comes just six weeks after former coalition whip and Yamina MK Idit Silman resigned from the coalition. While Silman’s departure pushed the coalition to parity with the opposition, Rinawie Zoabi reduced it to a 59-61 minority.
MK Ghaida Rinawie Zoabi (Meretz) Just announced that she's resigning from the coalition, this means that the opposition now holds the majority in the Knesset 61-59 pic.twitter.com/9AkDhsfpXs
— Politics of Israel (@politicsIsrael_) May 19, 2022