Yamina MP Idit Silman, the chairperson of the coalition and the Knesset Health Commission, announced her withdrawal from the coalition. This deprived the coalition of a majority in the Knesset, making it difficult for it to pass laws and make it impossible to approve the state budget. The Israeli political scientist and political strategist Yuri Bocharov commented this situation for Vestnik Kavkaza.
Events in Israel have once again demonstrated the costs of the current electoral system. When practically any deputy can leave the party that elected him to the Knesset "for a reward" to another party, even one that is not similar to him in ideology. "Buying" the Knesset deputies' votes has become a sad tradition in the Israeli parliament. This has happened before, and even the famous Oslo agreement to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was approved by "bought" votes.
This whole vicious system had arisen because, by law, the government of Israel was composed of the Parliament's deputies. As a result, a deputy, without losing his seat in the Parliament, becomes a minister as well. It should be noted that a deputy, regardless of whether he is in the opposition or in the coalition, with rare exceptions, is just a beautiful "title" that does not solve almost any issues. But the minister can do a lot of things, including specifically for his voters. In Israel, it is not uncommon for ministers to make decisions aimed at specific population groups, that is, their constituents.
This is what is happening now. Naturally, MP Idit Silman (Yamina) believes that she deserves to be a minister and is ready to do a lot for this. Her wish was heard in the Likud, and as a result of behind-the-scenes negotiations, she received an offer from Benjamin Netanyahu, guaranteeing her the 10th place in the Likud list and the post of Minister of Health during the next elections.
However, Israel has parliamentary recess until the beginning of May. Therefore, it is unlikely that something will happen now. And, technically, a "coup" is difficult to make. Since any new government can start its work with at least 61 votes out of 120. So far, the parliament is a draw: 60 to 60. Much will depend on whether Likud can "buy" one more vote and how the Arab party. It will depend on this party whether the current government will be preserved or the country will have new elections in a couple of months. So in the coming days we will witness new negotiations, intrigues and behind-the-scenes deals. At the same time, one should take into account that in Israel there may even be something that cannot be at all. So let's wait for development of the event.
