Opposition Forces Coalition to Yank Bill

By Yisrael Price

YERUSHALAYIM – Despite multiple crises, the coalition hasn’t collapsed – but it is still lacking a majority in the Knesset. On Sunday, it had to withdraw a bill to renew the application of some Israeli law to communities in Yehuda and Shomron, due to lack of support from the other side of the aisle.

The opposition, led by former prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu, declared earlier on Monday that it will not support any legislation proposed by the Bennett-Lapid government.

“We won’t help them, they need to go,” said Netanyahu, calling the coalition a sinking ship. “We won’t fall into the trap that each time we’ll save them.”

“It is wrong to back the coalition on anything, not even a good bill,” Rabbi Arye Deri said. “Not the emergency bill. Nothing. It is wrong to give the government artificial resuscitation. It’s our obligation to topple it.”

Netanyahu charged that the government can’t bring down the cost of housing, food, and gas because it funds programs to appease Arab MKs.

“Every week, they transfer billions to political blackmailers, terror supporters and Israel haters. Israeli citizens are forced to pay high taxes in order for the government to pay the Abbas tax, the Tibi tax, the Zoabi tax,” Netanyahu said. “And for whom is nothing left? Nothing is left for Israeli citizens.”

Rabbi Deri added that the national camp is working toward a realignment of MKs within the current Knesset to form an alternative government headed by Netanyahu, rather than dissolving parliament and holding elections.

“That’s our goal, that’s where we’re heading,” he said.