Arab-Israeli MK Resignation Might Destabilize Israeli Government

Rabat – Arab Israeli Member of Knesset (MK) Ghaida Rinawi Zoabi has withdrawn from the government led coalition, causing the majority to be shifted toward the opposition.

Ghaida Rinawi Zoabi of the left-wing Meretz party announced her resignation from the government-led coalition in a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, the Times of Israel reported on Thursday.

She is leaving the coalition because of Israel’s aggressive actions and disregard for the Arab minorities in the region.

Zoabi tweeted yesterday that “the month of Ramadan, has been unbearable. The sights that came from the Temple Mount of violent policemen in front of a crowd of worshipers, the funeral of Palestinian journalist Sheerin Abu Akala.” These are the main reasons that caused the MK to leave the government’s coalition.

She also added that she “can no longer support the existence of a coalition that harasses the Arabs in this disgraceful way.”

Israel’s coalition, under Bennet’s Yamina and Lapid’s Yesh Atid parties, previously held the majority in the Knesset with 61 members. Yamina’s MK Idit Silman had left the coalition six weeks ago, which caused a tie in the number of votes between the government and opposition with 60 votes each. Zoabi’s defection now leaves the government in the minority, with 59 members in the Knesset.

What is the Knesset?

The Knesset is Israel’s unicameral legislature. It is a supreme governing body in Israel that controls the entire government. It holds 120 seats. Following elections, a majority of 61 members must be organized to constitute the government in Israel. Knesset resolutions are passed through a voting in the plenum.

According to the Knesset official website, Israel’s government body can be dissolved if the prime minister, with the president’s approval, issues an order to dismantle the Knesset when it is becomes apparent the Knesset is oppositional, which means that the majority of its members oppose the government and that the government cannot function properly as a result.

Now that this condition has been met. Israeli analysts are skeptical that this sudden shift of the majority to the opposition might cause the Israeli government to stop functioning.

For example, if any motion or law is submitted by the government, then the opposition – now holding the majority – can simply turn down the motion through a majority vote against the motion. If this is the case, then Israel’s government might stop functioning because the majority of the Knesset opposes it.

More importantly, the opposition may propose a vote of no-confidence to the Knesset plenum next week. If it passes, Israel may launch another election campaign in the coming months, which would be Israel’s fifth election since 2019.

Israeli action against Palestinians

Zoabi’s decision comes in response to a recent escalation in Israeli aggression against Palestinians in the region.

Israeli riot police raided Al-Aqsa mosque on April 22, after Palestinians allegedly threw stones at a gate where they were stationed. According to Israel’s police force, rioters hurled stones and set off firecrackers at officers early in the morning and barricaded themselves inside the mosque.

According to the Palestinian Red Crescent, the raid injured approximately 30 Palestinians, including three journalists.

Journalists on the scene reported that Israeli forces were dressed in full riot gear and fired rubber bullets and stun grenades at worshipers. In retaliation, Palestinians attempted to throw stones.

Israeli forces later shot renowned reporter Shireen Abu Akleh on May 11. The murder of the veteran Al Jazeera reporter and one of the Arab world’s most prominent and admired journalists shocked the region. The world of journalism mourned the death of the iconic reporter who dedicated her life to her profession and telling the stories of the Palestinian people.

Abu Akleh was reporting on an Israeli raid at the Jenin refugee camp when she was shot in the head by an Israeli sniper and subsequently died.

Furthermore, On Friday, May 13, Israeli forces assaulted mourners carrying the coffin of the murdered Abu Akleh, nearly causing the casket to fall.

According to witnesses and reporters at the funeral, Israel forces prohibited the display of Palestinian flags and even photographs of Abu Akleh.

To further escalate the tense situation, Israel’s military police announced yesterday that it does not intend to launch an investigation in Abu Akleh’s death, as it did not deem it a “criminal act.”