What will happen to Arab coalition party if Netanyahu leaves politics?
Supporters of the coalition's Ra’am Party fear that if former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opts for a plea bargain and to exit politics, the government might disintegrate.
Israel’s current coalition was established on the common denominator of toppling Benjamin Netanyahu from the premiership. Now, on the backdrop of rumors about Netanyahu considering a plea bargain in his graft trial and perhaps even exiting politics, coalition partners are worried about the future of their alliance. Within the numerous coalition parties, the Islamic Ra’am Party is probably the most worried.
Evidence of these concerns came up Jan. 16 at the weekly Cabinet meeting. Prime Minister Naftali Bennett opened the meeting with a special statement for the press: “… all of the various political analysts, with their graphs and scenarios, can rest assured. The government of Israel is working and will continue to work quietly and effectively, day after day, for the citizens of Israel."
Obviously, Bennett intended to allay the fears of his coalition partners. But did he really succeed?
One of the major questions hovering over the current coalition is the continued membership of Ra’am. As abovementioned, its lawmakers are an integral part of the coalition. With a narrow majority of 61 Knesset members out of 120, the government would have a hard time moving forward with legislation in the Knesset without them. This could even be impossible.
