Will the Israeli government collapse?
Could Israel witness its fifth elections in 3 years and a return of the political chaos in the formation of its government?
Jerusalem24 – With the withdrawal of Israeli MK, Idit Silman, from the government the Israeli coalition headed by Naftali Bennett lost its majority.
The announcement by the right-wing representative caused the decline of Bennett’s coalition, which includes disparate parties from the hard right and the left, in addition to an Arab Islamic party. After losing its one-seat majority it now has an equal number of seats with the opposition.
In a statement, Silman said that she “tried the path of unity and worked hard for this coalition.” However, she added that “unfortunately, I cannot participate in compromising Israel’s Jewish identity.”
The Israeli lawmaker was critical of instructions issued by the Israeli Minister of Health, Nitzan Horowitz, to allow hospitals to supply leavened bread products during the Jewish holiday of Passover.
Jewish religious teachings forbid the use of leavened bread in public during Passover.
“I will end my membership in the coalition and try to continue persuading my friends to come back and form a right-wing government,” Silman said. “I know I’m not the only one feeling this way.”
Opinion polls published by the Israeli media last week showed that the results of elections that may take place today will be almost similar to the results of the last elections.
According to various polls, the Likud party headed by Benjamin Netanyahu leads in the elections, but it will not be able to form a government. While the opposing bloc fails to obtain a parliamentary majority.
If Israel heads to new elections, it will be the fifth in three years. It also means a return to square one, and to the same political vortex that obstructed the formation of a government in light of the division between the camps.
In this episode of Wake Up Palestine Khaldoun Barghouthi, a researcher and follower of Israeli Affairs, tells us about the current situation of the Israeli government and possible scenarios.
