Attempts by Meretz to convince Zoabi to resign from the Knesset have so far been unsuccessful; move may lead to early elections.
By JNS and EJP
Knesset Member Ghaida Rinawie Zoabi of the left wing Meretz Party resigned from the government coalition on Thursday, sending shockwaves through the Israeli political system.
Following Zoabi’s departure, the coalition has just 59 seats to the opposition’s 60.
According to Ynet, attempts by Meretz to convince Zoabi to resign from the Knesset, rather than remaining and voting against the government, have so far proven unsuccessful.
In a letter sent to Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, and first published by Globes, Zoabi writes that “the heads of the coalition preferred to strengthen and safeguard the right-wing side of the coalition, again and again.”
Zoabi wrote that she encountered “total unreceptiveness to the needs of Arab communities, particularly in the areas of development for local councils, housing, employment and education.”
She described the month of Ramadan as “impossible to bear,” adding that “the sights we saw from the Temple Mount of police violence against crowds of worshippers, and the funeral of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, led to me a persona ethical conclusion: I cannot continue to support the existence of a coalition that disgracefully harasses the society that I come from. In light of what I highlighted, I hereby announce the removal of my candidacy for [any]future appointment and the stoppage of my membership in the coalition.”
In February, Zoabi voted against the coalition’s attempt to pass a new military draft law, resulting in an offer for her to take up the position of consul to Shanghai, China, in exchange for future support for the coalition.
But as that position has been delayed, the Globes reported, “the difficulties in the coalition led her to choose an ideological resignation at this time.”
According to Globes, neither Meretz Party head Nitzan Horowitz nor other coalition senior members had prior knowledge of Zoabi’s intentions.
Horowitz wrote on twitter: “Our coalition is important and we are working to maintain it. The dissolution of the coalition will be a reward for Netanyahu and Ben Gvir, and great damage to society as a whole – Jews and Arabs. Meretz and I are committed to every effort to stabilise the government and ensure its continued existence. The disputes in the government will be resolved inside the house.”
Likud faction chairman Yariv Levin said the government has “lost its way now … lost its majority in the Knesset and no longer has the right to exist”.
Foreign Minister Lapid is due to meet Zoabi on Sunday in an effort to change her mind.
Next Monday, there is expected to be a vote to grant scholarships for discharged IDF soldiers to study at university. The bill had provoked disagreements within the Likud. Some MKs are torn between supporting a bill they agree with versus their preference not to give the government any support at all.
The opposition could table a bill to dissolve the Knesset as early as next week. The election could then be fixed for some time in September.
The government still aspires to celebrate a full year in power on June 13