A key member of Naftali Bennett’s Yamina party has left the Israeli coalition government after a row over unleavened bread during Passover, in a surprise move that leaves the prime minister without a parliamentary majority.
Idit Silman’s announcement left Bennett’s coalition, a coalition of parties ranging from the Jewish right and Israeli doves to an Arab-Muslim party, with 60 seats — along with the opposition.
“I tried the path of unity. I’ve done a lot of work for this coalition,” Silman, a religious conservative who was coalition leader, said in a statement. “Unfortunately, I cannot participate in damaging Israel’s Jewish identity.”
On Monday, Silman lashed out at Health Secretary Nitzan Horowitz after ordering hospitals to allow leavened bread products into their facilities during the upcoming Passover holiday, in line with a recent Supreme Court ruling overturning years of bans.
Jewish tradition forbids leavened bread from public areas during Passover.
“I am retiring from the coalition and will continue to try to persuade my friends to come back home and form a right-wing government,” Silman said. “I know I’m not the only one going through this.”
Bennett’s coalition can continue to govern with 60 seats but is struggling to pass new legislation.
However, if another member of the coalition defectes, the Knesset could hold a vote of no confidence, potentially bringing Israel back to the polls for a fifth general election in four years.
Dahlia Scheindlin, a political analyst, said that if Silman is “the first person who’s really preparing to overthrow the government, she’s doing it out of conviction.” “It’s religious, and I think we all underestimate the power of theology,” Scheindlin added.
In a formal letter of resignation to Bennett, Silman said, “We have to admit we tried. It is time to recalculate and try to form a national Jewish Zionist government.”
After the announcement, Silman was embraced by the same right-wing politicians who had relentlessly attacked her since she followed Bennett into the governing coalition last year and failed to deliver on campaign promises.
“Idit, you are proof that concern for Israel’s Jewish identity, concern for the Land of Israel, guides you and I welcome you home to the national camp,” opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video recording.
“I urge everyone elected with the votes of the national camp to join the Idit and return home. You will be received with all due honor and open arms,” added the right-wing ex-Prime Minister.
Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, who served from 1996 to 1999 and again from 2009 to last June, had vowed to play the role of spoilsport against Bennett’s government, which ended his years in power.
At a special session of the Knesset on recess, Netanyahu said: “There is a weak and limp government in Israel today. His days are numbered.”
The Knesset will meet again on May 8 to resume its legislative work. In order to form his own coalition without new elections, Netanyahu would need the support of at least 61 MPs, which he does not have.
Bezalel Smotrich of the Religious Zionism Party, once a political partner of Bennett, expressed appreciation for Silman’s “courage to take the difficult step” and predicted that the ruling coalition would not survive its defection.
“This is the beginning of the end for Bennett’s leftist, non-Zionist government and Islamist movement,” he wrote on Twitter.
Bennett, whose Yamina party now holds only five of the 120 seats in parliament, initially did not comment.