This content was published on April 06, 2022 – 07:40 April 06, 2022 – 07:40
Jerusalem, 6 April (EFE) .- Israel’s executive branch, which ruled with a narrow 61-seat majority in a 120-seat parliament, is losing its majority after an MP resigned from the coalition, in a blow to the current government from Naftali Benet is .
In a move she took without notice and surprising many, MP Idit Silman of the ultra-nationalist Yamina party – led by Prime Minister Benet – announced that she was withdrawing her support for the coalition and would work for the formation of a new government .
This weakens Benet and his partners in the executive branch amid tensions in the region following multiple attacks that have drawn heavy criticism from right-wing opposition parties. For his part, former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, now leader of the opposition bloc, would maneuver to overthrow the coalition and rally support for the formation of an alternative government, according to the media.
As of this writing, Silman’s loss of support means that the Benet government has only 60 seats and can only legislate with the support of opposition parties, making it even more difficult to govern.
Netanyahu today congratulated Silman, calling his move “brave” and urging other right-wing MPs in the current government to side with him, where he assured that “they will be received with full respect and open arms.”
The current coalition took power in June and managed to depose Netanyahu as prime minister after 12 consecutive years.
It consists of a broad amalgamation of eight parties that are part of the whole ideological arc, from the extreme right, right, centre, left and even an Islamist formation.
According to reports, Silman could now join Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud party if she were guaranteed a prominent position and the post of health minister in a future government.
Likewise, the movement given by Silman could open the door for other members of the current governing coalition with a more right-wing profile to follow in his footsteps. This could tip the balance in favor of Netanyahu’s opposition bloc to give him the necessary majority to seek the formation of an alternative executive.
The government crisis erupts after Israel fell into a scenario of high political instability in recent years, having to hold four general elections in just two years between 2019 and 2021. EFE
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