The United Arab Emirates (UAL) party, also known as the Hebrew Ra’am, has suspended its membership in the coalition government of Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, blaming his decision on days of violence at the Al-Aqsa mosque complex in Jerusalem. . The party, whose supporters come mainly from Palestinians in Israel, a minority of about 21 percent of the population of about nine million, is led by Mansour Abbas and was the first party representing Palestinians to join an Israeli government. Bennett took office last June after painstaking efforts to form a coalition government that ousted Israel’s longtime prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. He did so by creating a slim majority of 61 seats in the 120-seat Knesset. But the Bennett government lost that majority earlier this month when a far-right Knesset member resigned over a government decision to authorize the distribution of sourdough bread to hospitals during Easter, according to a recent Supreme Court ruling that overturns of practice. Bennett’s coalition – a mix of left-wing, hardline Jewish nationalist and religious parties, as well as the UAL – has deep ideological differences and now has only 60 seats in parliament – as does the opposition. On Sunday night, the UAL – which has four seats in the Bennett coalition – said it was “suspending” its support and freezing its parliamentary activities. “If the government continues its steps against the people of Jerusalem … we will resign as a bloc,” UAL said in a statement. The announcement comes two days after Israeli forces raided the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, injuring at least 150 people and making dozens of arrests. UAL’s departure from Bennett’s administration will not directly affect the government, as the Knesset is on a break until May 8. The Israeli daily Haaretz reported that the UAL measure was coordinated with Bennett and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid and was designed to allow UAL supporters to “stand out” but avoid leaving the ruling coalition. Some political commentators said the announcement was a symbolic gesture to ease pressure from UAL party leaders during the crisis, and the dispute could be resolved by the time parliament convenes again next month. The UUR Shura Council – an advisory body to religious leaders – is expected to meet again in two weeks, following the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Sources say that Bennett will now seek to calm the situation with the UAL, and although his coalition can rule with 60 seats, it will be difficult to pass new legislation. If another member leaves the ruling coalition, the Knesset could call for a vote of no confidence, which could put Israel back in the polls for a fifth parliamentary election in four years.
