Shillman’s statement, which he said was due to the “damage” of Jewish identity in Israel, means that the coalition no longer has a majority. “I will not support the destruction 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,” she said in a statement. “I know, I’m not the only one who feels that way. “Another government can be formed in this Knesset.” According to reports, Silman did not inform Prime Minister Naftali Bennett – leader of the Yamina party of which he is a member – about the move in advance, leaving the prime minister to learn through media reports that he had lost his governing majority. Reports indicate that Bennett’s scheduled schedule for Wednesday was canceled as he met with advisers. Get the Times of Israel Daily E-mail and never miss our top stories By registering, you agree to the terms Schilman’s announcement means that the government will only be able to pass legislation with the support of opposition lawmakers. The only party that would probably give him votes for a bill would be the Joint List of Arab factions, but his support will only serve to further alienate the right-wing coalition parties. Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, right, and MK Idit Silman attend the vote on the state budget at the Knesset Assembly Hall in Jerusalem on November 4, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel / Flash90) Opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu was quick to congratulate Silman on what he described as a “courageous move.” “I am deeply moved when I hear the statement of MK Idit Silman and I congratulate her on behalf of the masses of the people of Israel who are longing for this moment,” Netanyahu said in a video statement. “I call on all those elected by the national camp to join Idit and return home, they will welcome you with absolute respect and open arms,” Netanyahu said. Likud launched a scathing, multi-month online campaign against Yamina’s involvement in the government and Netanyahu’s ousting, and Silman was a key target. The MP was often harassed and said that she was physically assaulted at a gas station. At the time, Netanyahu suggested that Silman could have devised the story of the attack to destroy the coalition’s opponents. Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at a meeting of his party faction in the Knesset on February 28, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel / Flash90) Religious Services Minister Matan Kahana responded to Wednesday’s announcement in a radio interview, saying he hoped Silman would change her mind. “It simply came to our notice then. I hope it is reversible. This government is doing good things for the people. “It was created out of political necessity, but I think it’s worth it to keep it running,” said lawmaker Yamina. Far-right MK Bezalel Smotrich, leader of the opposition Religious Zionist party, a former political partner of Bennett, who is now a staunch opponent of the government, said Silman had taken a “courageous step”. “The national camp will receive Idit with open arms and in a place of honor for those who saved the people of Israel,” Smotrich said in a statement. “I call on the members of the coalition elected from the right to return home. “Together, a Jewish, Zionist and national government will be built that will be very good for the state of Israel,” he said. Tkuma MK leader Bezalel Smotrich speaks at Channel 20 Jerusalem’s annual conference in Jerusalem on March 16, 2021 (Courtesy of Olivier Fitoussi / Flash90) Sillman’s move came as the coalition was already struggling with the Knesset’s day-to-day affairs due to the fact that it had only a slim majority. Another Yamina MK, Amichai Shikli, is already a outspoken critic of the government, which tends to vote with the opposition. Yamina could now declare Silman and Shikli as dissident lawmakers and expel them from the party. This would mean that they would not be allowed to run in the next elections under any party that is currently part of the Knesset. An alternative would be for Silman and Sikli to form a new faction, but they could not do it alone and would need another coalition member to make the move. Home Secretary Ayelet Shaked, also of the Yamina party, has had a divisive relationship with many of her coalition partners and is considered a possible dissident. Other prospects include Yamina MK Nir Orbach, who chairs the Knesset House Committee and has often clashed with left-wing coalition partners, and Yamina MK Abir Kara, a deputy minister in the prime minister’s office. Ayelet Shaked (L) and Idit Silman (R) in the Knesset on March 10, 2022 (Olivier Fitoussi / Flash90) Silman has recently been very vocal on issues of religion and state in Israel. Earlier this week, he clashed with Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz, leader of the left-wing Meretz party, attacking him for ordering hospitals to allow patients and visitors to bring hametz or non-Easter food to their premises during the upcoming Easter holidays – although the minister only instructed the institutions to comply with the Supreme Court ruling on the matter. Silman asked Horovic to issue guidelines on the issue, warning that his actions “crossed the red line” and that he should be fired. Yamina MK Idit Silman and Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz during the Knesset Labor, Welfare and Health Committee hearing in Jerusalem on 28 February 2022. (Yonatan Sindel / Flash90) Last week, he strongly opposed the so-called Western Wall compromise, an agreement that would provide additional freedoms to non-Orthodox currents of Judaism in the sanctuary of Jerusalem. “There is a status quo with the Western Wall that I do not think is going to change. All the attention around this is just demagogy. This is a house of prayer. There is a minority – a reform minority – that makes a lot of noise as if it were the majority. “We have to tell the truth: It’s not like that,” Sillman said in an interview with the public broadcaster Kan. “This government and certainly we – or at least I – must maintain the Orthodox character of the Western Wall.” Since the government was formed, there have been numerous reports of opposition efforts to prosecute coalition lawmakers and overthrow the government. Shillman’s announcement comes amid growing tensions within the coalition, which last year united left-to-right pro-settlement parties with Islamist Raam to oust Netanyahu and Likud’s party after a series of incomplete elections. who paralyzed the Knesset for two years. You are a devoted reader We’re really glad you read the X Times of Israel articles last month. That’s why we started the Times of Israel ten years ago – to provide demanding readers like you with the coverage they need to read about Israel and the Jewish world. So now we have a request. Unlike other media, we have not created a paywall. But as the journalism we do is costly, we invite readers for whom the Times of Israel has become important to help support our work by joining The Times of Israel. For just $ 6 a month you can support our quality journalism by enjoying Times of Israel WITHOUT ADVERTISING, as well as access to exclusive content available only to members of the Times of Israel Community. 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