While Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has earned considerable media coverage as a mediator between Russia and Ukraine, this image can be deceptive. Even though Bennett is interacting with all the major figures in the ongoing global crisis, he is still a weak politician.

Bennett heads a party with just six seats, and all his travels in Europe have not managed to improve his party’s standing in the polls. Former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who now leads the opposition, continues to overshadow him.

Justice Minister Gideon Saar has been pouring enormous energy into  legislation that would place an eight-year term limit on a serving prime minister. He  originally intended to pass the law, which is aimed at Netanyahu, before the Knesset leaves for its spring recess March 13. However, the coalition lacked the necessary 61 members to amend a Basic Law. It was a devastating blow to Saar’s reputation. Without 61 votes, he will have to wait until the Knesset returns from its recess in May.

With its majority of one, any single member of this narrow coalition can embarrass the government by blocking legislation. It’s not theoretical, either. The government has failed on more than one occasion in the last few weeks alone to get its agenda passed.