Israel's Government Thrown into Crisis after Leader Abruptly Resigns

Emily Jones : Apr 7, 2022
CBN News

"I know I am not the only one who feels this way. Another government can be formed in this Knesset." -Idit Silman

(Jerusalem, Israel) — [CBN News] In a move that throws Israel's political future into uncertainty, the chairwoman of the country's governing coalition abruptly resigned Wednesday morning over a religious dispute, robbing the coalition of its majority in parliament and raising the possibility that Israel will be forced to hold another national election. (Image: Pixabay)

Chairwoman Idit Silman said she cannot play a role in "harming" Israel's Jewish identity.

"I will not abet the harming of the Jewish identity of the State of Israel and the people of Israel. I will continue to try to persuade my friends to return home and form a right-wing government," Silman said in a statement. "I know I am not the only one who feels this way. Another government can be formed in this Knesset."

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who leads the right-wing Yamina Party, which Silman is a member of, was reportedly caught off guard by the announcement and learned about his coalition losing its majority through news outlets.

Bennett reportedly canceled all his appointments on Wednesday to deal with the government's new crisis.

Silman's decision means that Bennett's governing coalition only has 60 seats in Israel's 120-seat parliament, forcing the government to rely on support from the opposition to pass legislation. If another person resigns, the government will collapse and Israelis will face another national election. Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here