Israel's law on citizenship and a temporary order stopping family reunification that must be renewed on an annual basis has posed a challenge to a coalition that depends on factions that oppose the law like Ra'am and Meretz. They also form a dilemma for the Right in the Opposition: should they help Naftali Bennett or make things difficult for him by opposing the law, which they actually support?
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Benjamin Netanyahu knew that the law in question was just the beginning. If he can get the cabinet used to the idea that on any right-wing issue, Bennett can count on votes from the Likud, the Haredim, and the Religious Zionist Party, the coalition could go the distance. The best way to make sure it doesn't is to oppose anything and everything it wants.
To overcome the expected criticism about the Likud preferring a new government over the good of the country Netanyahu suggested a compromise – the Opposition would support the law on the condition that it is temporary and the coalition supports a broader, more comprehensive bill to stop family reunification later on. But the cabinet refused.
To tell you the truth, Netanyahu didn't really need this excuse to justify his actions. Yair Lapid, who attacked the Opposition and declared that they weren't thinking about the good of the country, can't wash his hands of it and blame the Likud and the other right-wing factions. He was the one who formed the government with opponents of the bill. Even Lapid, for political reasons, opted to oust Netanyahu and join forces with dangerous political entities who now are not allowing the government to enact laws to stop activity against the state. It's almost incredible that Lapid, Bennett, Matan Kahana, and others have been attacked the Opposition on a daily basis while going to sleep with the enemy every night.
The main glue holding the coalition together is Netanyahu himself. The more dominant he is, the closer their ranks. On Monday, Mossi Raz of Meretz was asked if he would be willing for Meretz to be part of a government that would not hold negotiations for a two-state solution for years. Raz answered that although he would like to see peace talks, he was aware they might not happen. And in his opinion, this is not a reason to disband the government. His answer explains everything.
Raz, and his colleagues in Meretz, Labor, Blue and White, and Yesh Atid, know what is expected of them right now. Months from now, they will be expected to lock in successes other than booting out Netanyahu. That will be a watershed moment, at which the coalition will find itself facing a true challenge.
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