Rightist MKs laud coalition chair for bolting government

Right-wing lawmakers lauded coalition chairwoman Idit Silman (Yamina) Wednesday morning, after she announced plans to resign from the Bennett government and push for the formation of a new coalition.

Opposition Leader and former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was "excited" by the news.

"I was excited to hear the news of Idit Silman's, and I bless you in the name of many people in Israel who waited for this moment," Netanyahu said in a video statement.

"Idit, you proved that you are motivated by your concern for the Jewish identity of the State of Israel, for the Land of Israel."

"I welcome you home to the national camp with open arms," continued Netanyahu, adding that, "You've proven that public servants care for the well-being of their constituents, urging, "all those elected with the votes of the nationalist camp to return home", "where you too will be received with open arms."

MK Keti Shitrit (Likud) compared the announcement to the miracles of the Exodus from Egypt.

"We were redeemed with miracles and will be redeemed through wonders and miracles in the future to come," Shitrit quoted the Biblical verse referring to the Jewish People's liberation from slavery in Egypt and the upcoming Passover holiday.

"I congratulate my friend, Idit Silman, on this courageous decision," she added.

Chairman of the Religious Zionist Party, MK Bezalel Smotrich, lauded Silman's decision, calling it the 'dawning of a new day'.

"This is the dawning of a new day - the beginning of the end for Bennett's anti-Zionist left-wing government with the Islamic Movement, and its replacement by a Jewish, Zionist coalition. MK Silman is deserving of praise for the courage to do the difficult but right thing that needed to be done..." said Smotrich.

Otzma Yehudit chairman MK Itamar Ben-Gvir (Religious Zionism) joined the chorus of right-wing lawmakers hailing Silman’s decision to leave the coalition, writing on Twitter: "[She] got her pass to Heaven in one moment and deserves all the praise she is getting. Her actions have provided renewed hope to the Jewish people on the Right that we will regain power and send the extreme left-wing government that caused so much damage in such a short time to its rightful place. Congratulations, Idit!"

MK Avi Maoz, chairman of the Noam party, which ran with Otzma Yehudit on the Religious Zionism party list, welcomed Silman back to the Right, tweeting: "Welcome back, Idit.”

"You attained the World to Come in a single hour. Well done for keeping your focus on the importance of Jewish identity. Together we will return the State of Israel to the Jewish people and bolster its status as a Jewish state," concluded Maoz.

Chairman of the Shas party Aryeh Deri joined fellow MKs from the Right in praising Idit Silman's break with the coalition government, saying: "I congratulate MK Silman, for helping to salvage the Jewish identity of the State of Israel. We were redeemed in the month of Nissan (the Hebrew month during which Passover falls) and the future redemption will arrive in Nissan as well," Deri said, quoting a traditional Jewish source.

Likud MK Miki Zohar urged Silman to "go all the way", and help form a new government.

"As I told you yesterday, you have the power to redeem the Jewish people."