The measure is seen as a symbolic gesture and could be resolved by the time Israel’s Knesset forces reconvene next month.
The United Arab List Party (UAL), also known by its Hebrew name Ra’am, has suspended participation in Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s coalition government, blaming days of violence. at the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex in Jerusalem for his decision.
The party whose supporters are mainly Israel’s Palestinian citizens, a minority group that makes up about 21% of the population of approximately nine million, is led by Mansour Abbas and was the first party to represent Palestinian citizens to participate. Israeli government.
Bennett took office last June after relentless efforts to assemble a coalition government capable of ousting Israel’s longest-serving prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He did so by creating a large 61-seat section in the 120-seat Knesset.
But Bennett’s government lost its majority earlier this month when a far-right member of the Knesset abandoned the government’s decision to allow the distribution of leavened bread in hospitals during Passover, in line with the The Supreme Court’s recent ruling set back the many years of ban on the practice.
Bennett’s coalition – a mix of hardline, Jewish nationalist and religious parties, as well as the UAL – is deeply ideologically divided and currently has only 60 seats in parliament – same as the opposition.
On Sunday night, the UAL – which has four seats in Bennett’s coalition – said it was “suspending” its support and freezing parliamentary activities.
“If the government continues to take steps against the people of Jerusalem… we will resign as a bloc,” the UAL said in a statement.
The announcement comes two days after Israeli forces raided the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem, resulting in at least 150 people were injured and many arrests were made.
UAL’s withdrawal from Bennett’s administration will not have an immediate effect on the government, as the Knesset will be closed until May 8.
The Israeli daily Haaretz said the UAL’s measure was combination with Bennett and secretary of state Yair Lapid and was designed to allow UAL supporters to “let loose”, but avoid actually leaving the governing coalition.
Some political commentators saw the announcement as a symbolic gesture meant to ease pressure on UAL party leaders during the crisis and that the dispute could be resolved by the time parliament. meet again next month.
The UAL’s Shura Council – an advisory body of religious leaders – is expected to reconvene in two weeks’ time, after the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
Sources say that Bennett will now seek to calm the situation with the UAL, and that although his coalition could rule with 60 seats, it will be difficult to pass new legislation.
If another member leaves the government coalition, the Knesset could call for a vote of no confidence, which could lead Israel back to the polls for the fifth parliamentary election in four. five.
