United Torah Judaism leader Yakov Litzman's decision to resign as housing minister in protest of the government's decision to impose a nationwide lockdown, is unlikely to shake the coalition. This was a personal decision that has less to do with politics and more to do with the internal struggle in the Ger hassidic sect.
United Torah Judaism MKs did not follow Litzman as he walked out the door, but his move places them in a very awkward position.
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Litzman has become the proverbial serial quitter. While both he and his close associates stressed that "this time it's different" and he will not be convinced to change his mind – he still has 24 hours to rescind his resignation.
The thing is – this time is different as the move failed to gain traction among United Torah Judaism's voters, despite the fact Litzman's cited the hot-button issue of the restrictions imposed on prayer services during the High Holidays.
The prayer issue was the last straw for many in the ultra-Orthodox sector who have been feeling targeted since the global pandemic hit Israel in mid-March. This feeling has been fueled by various media reports suggesting that the Haredi sector, where mass weddings and gatherings are held in violation of social distancing directives and where COVID-19 morbidity is high, has been lambasted as a "threat" to the rest of society.
Litzman's resignation has left fellow UTJ MK Moshe Gafni and Shas leader Aryeh Deri holding this hot potato, and their supporters are likely to wonder why, if they feel about this as strongly as they profess, they did not follow in Litzman's footsteps.
Moreover, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not be able to become acting housing minister in Litzman's place. As Netanyahu faces a corruption indictment, by law he cannot serve as a minister.
Until such time as a replacement is named, Litzman will retain his hold on the ministry via his associates there, including ministry director Mordechai Bebchick, a Ger Hassid many believe will take over United Torah Judaism once Litzman steps down as its leader.
Litzman's criticism of the Health Ministry and particularly coronavirus commissioner Professor Ronni Gamzu, has been reinforced over recent weeks, mostly over the fact that the Arab sector, where mass weddings and gatherings are also held in violation of the government's directives, is not – as he sees it – being targeted in the same way as the ultra-Orthodox sector.
The fact that no one points the finger at Arab Israelis and no one dares imply that they are spreading the disease, shows that it is possible to handle the situation differently. It's all a matter of choice.
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