The Israeli government loses its parliamentary majority after the defection of a deputy over a subject related to religion. Other parliamentarians could also defect, causing the fall of the most eclectic coalition that Israel has ever known.
From our correspondent in Jerusalem, Michael Paul
This is probably the worst crisis that the government of Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has known since it no longer enjoys a parliamentary majority. With just 60 deputies out of the 120 in the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament, the coalition may be overthrown at the slightest vote. The only respite for the government: the parliamentary recess on the occasion of Passover.
It was the leader of the coalition, Idit Silman, of Yamina, Bennett’s party, who caused the crisis because of ideological disagreements: precisely the introduction of Hametz, bread and products containing yeast in hospitals during Passover.
In the right-wing opposition, Benyamin Netanyahu is rubbing his hands. And he calls on other deputies to slam the door of the government coalition. Commentators believe, however, that while the coalition will struggle to survive, Netanyahu is far from being able to form a new government. All eyes are now on Benny Gantz, the Minister of Defence, who could take advantage of the situation to realize his dream: to become Prime Minister!
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