The Israeli government headed by pro-settler Naftali Bennett was composed by parties from both the right and the left. Nowadays, half a year after its formation, we can assess that if it falls, it will not be the fault of left-wing Meretz. They are in it to stay, even if it means paying a steep price ideologically and image-wise to keep the coalition alive.

Actually, the party has been making sacrifice after sacrifice on an almost weekly basis with that goal exactly. Historically, the party’s call to arms has been opposing the West Bank occupation, but that seems to have been put aside, at least partially. Yes, they condemn the latest plans to expand settlements. They even tweet about it. They have met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah to discuss proposals for a two-state solution. But that’s as far as their diplomatic activity goes.

Occasionally, Meretz Knesset members Mossi Raz and Gaby Lasky make their way to the settlements to demonstrate against the occupation. They did exactly that during President Isaac Herzog’s controversial visit to the Cave of the Patriarchs Nov. 28. Raz brought a sign and shouted his protests. Lasky accused the president of granting his stamp of approval to the occupation.

Upon joining the new government, Meretz agreed that it would not push ahead with their positions on the occupation and other highly controversial issues. But things went further than that. Last week, Meretz Chairman Nitzan Horowitz, who serves as health minister, announced that he supports reinstituting the digital tracking of civilians using Shin Bet technology in an effort to block the spread of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus. People everywhere were stunned, and rightfully so.