Netanyahu urges Orbach to ‘complete the job,’ join the opposition

The coalition and opposition continue their tug-of-war over Yamina MK Nir Orbach, who has been tight-lipped publicly since he announced that he was leaving the coalition over its failure to pass the settler law two weeks ago.

In a faction meeting, Likud party leader and opposition chief Benjamin Netanyahu calls on Orbach to “complete the step” of returning to the opposition bloc of right-wing and ultra-Orthodox parties.

Addressing Orbach, Netanyahu says: “You have already taken an important step to disengage from this dangerous government; now is the time to complete the job.”

Orbach is the third Yamina member to desert the coalition, which is headed by Yamina party leader Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.

Whereas Amichai Chikli and Idit Silman’s defections are viewed with finality, coalition sources continue to press upon Orbach to either quit the Knesset entirely or refrain from voting to dissolve the government.