Israel's Ruling Coalition Loses Majority; Netanyahu Return Possible

Idit Silman, the chairwoman of the Israeli government, abruptly announced her resignation from the coalition Wednesday morning, April 6, 2022, leaving it with 60 lawmakers and effectively ending its majority in the Knesset, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported.

Photo Insert: Idit Silman was the chairwoman of the Israeli government.

The announcement surprised Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who failed to reach Silman by phone following the announcement. Bennett and Silman were scheduled to meet Tuesday, but Silman canceled the meeting at the last minute.

Silman later broke her silence in a resignation letter to the prime minister, saying some coalition partners "are unwilling to make compromises."

Ending the government's slender, 10-month majority, she said, means "the time has come to form a national, Jewish and Zionist government" and called on Bennett to "join hands to be a voice to the values for which we were elected."

Opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu gloated at Silman’s quitting, saying: "I was very excited to hear MK Idit Silman's statement and I congratulate her on behalf of the masses of the people of Israel who wished for this moment. Idit, you are proving that what guides you is a concern for the Jewish identity of the State of Israel and the Land of Israel, and I welcome you back home to the national camp."

He further called "on everyone who is elected by the national camp to join Idit and return home to us. You will be received with all due respect and with open arms." Silman agreed with people close to Netanyahu to be part of the Likud list in the next election.

The source, who said he had warned Bennett on talks between Silman and Netanyahu's office, added that Silman was promised the role of health minister in any Likud-led government.

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