From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, November 2, 2022
Pro-Israel Democrat group warns against including Religious Zionism in coalition
Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
The Democratic Majority for Israel expresses its concern regarding Religious Zionism’s strong showing in yesterday’s election.
“We cannot help but be deeply troubled by the fact that an anti-democratic and extremist party led by Kahanist Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich will gain a larger foothold in the Knesset,” the group says. “While this party only represents about 10% of Israeli voters, it may wield outsize political influence as former prime minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu can only put together a governing coalition with its support.”
“DMFI has repeatedly reiterated our belief that this party should have no place in Israel’s governing coalition,” the group says, while asserting that the US-Israel relationship will “survive having Kahanists in the Knesset.”
It also notes its respect for Israel’s robust democracy, which includes “parties ranging from the far left to the far right.”
