In surprise move, legislator on Israeli left quits coalition
By quitting the coalition, Meretz Knesset member Ghaida Rinawie Zoabi has changed the balance of power in the Israeli parliament and given the opposition a majority.
Israel’s government suffered a serious setback today when Meretz Knesset member Ghaida Rinawie Zoabi announced she would no longer be part of the coalition.
In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, Rinawie Zoabi wrote, "I entered politics because I saw myself as an emissary of Arab society, which I represent. A year ago, I joined the coalition. I labored diligently for its success, because I believed that Jewish-Arab partnership in such a coalition could offer a true ruling alternative and a real window of hope for Arab society, a new way of equality and dignity. Unfortunately, over the last few months for narrow political reasons, the heads of the coalition chose to strengthen their right side."
