PM convenes coalition heads, looks for stability

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett convened the heads of his governing coalition on Thursday in an effort to stabilize it.

The group discussed holding a pep rally with entertainment for MKs and their spouses in Tel Aviv next week, as the coalition has done before the start of other sessions of the Knesset.

The coalition has been hit hard by the departure of its chairwoman, Yamina MK Idit Silman, and threats to leave from Ra’am (United Arab List).

Alternate Prime Minister Yair Lapid met with Ra’am leader Mansour Abbas on Wednesday night, and Ra’am sources reported significant progress toward resolving the dispute.

But Abbas still boycotted

Thursday’s coalition meeting because key issues remain up in the air.

Lapid also met with independent MK Eli Avidar and discussed his parliamentary initiatives.

Avidar is pushing for passing bills that could prevent opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu from running again for prime minister. He also favors deepening cooperation with the Joint List.

Bennett will need to choose a new coalition head in place of Silman.

Yamina MK Abir Kara sent Silman a letter this week urging her to continue voting with the coalition on economic issues. Defense Minister Benny Gantz asked her to do the same on matters of security.

Silman’s voting will be closely monitored by the coalition. If she votes against the government on key issues, the coalition could have her formally declared a defector. That happened on Monday with Yamina MK Amichai Chikli, who had to quit the Knesset immediately after the proposal passed to be able to run for the next Knesset with an existing party.