The next retirement? Shaked, Nir Orbach and Kara's late-night meeting

April 7, 2022   

The political upheaval: After MK Idit Silman's retirement, other members of Yamina are considering their next steps. What a mess: I wonder where the Levy family gets the money for renovations at home? • Watch The silence of several senior coalition officials in the face of this dramatic step is striking. When the prime minister wants the support of the heads of the other parties and the backing of his faction members, it seems that he is left standing alone. First and foremost, it seems that Bennett is not receiving support in the place that should be his refuge - the Yamina faction. His partner, Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked, not only has not commented on Silman's dramatic step so far - but also met tonight with MKs Abir Kara and Nir Orbach, to coordinate their next steps. According to a report on Channel 12, they discussed the situation that has arisen and agreed to act together. The purpose of tonight's meeting was to prevent a 'frightened race' between the three, in which each of them might get ahead of the others on their way to the bosom of the opposition - which needs the 61st finger that will allow it to overthrow the government. Despite the agreements, the meeting certainly opens a window for an orderly departure from the coalition - even if not immediately. Channel 12 reported that Kara is already halfway to becoming the next in line to resign from the coalition. The deputy minister met with MK Amichai Shikli and Silman, and the three drafted an agreement to split from Yamina and establish a joint faction, although they have not yet signed it. Now, pressure is being exerted on Kara and other MKs to sign the agreement. Meanwhile, the Yamina faction is considering this morning to declare MK Amichai Shikli a resigning MK. According to estimates, the goal of the move is to try to deter Silman from attracting additional party members and splitting from the Yamina faction. If MK Shikli is declared to have resigned - Silman will need two more party members besides her to split from the party - and not just one more, if he is not declared to have resigned. However, according to the Channel 12 report, Abir Kara is opposed to this.