Yamina MKs Silman and Orbach get extra security after anti-coalition harassment

6 June 2021, 1:58 pm

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The Knesset Guard decided Sunday to up the security around Yamina MKs Idit Silman and Nir Orbach as they are being targeted by activists aiming to pressure them against backing an emerging coalition deal that would bring in a new government and oust long-serving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Right-wing activists have held protests outside the homes of Silman and Orbach. Earlier Sunday Silman asked for extra security after complaining that she was being followed by activists.

According to the Kan public broadcaster, Silman sent a voice message to the Yamina WhatsApp group while driving recently, claiming that she was being followed.

Yamina MK Idit Silman arrives for a meeting with Yamina party leader Naftali Bennett and fellow Yamina MKs, at Bennett’s home in Ra’anana, on June 4, 2021. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)

“I don’t really feel good, there’s a car that’s chasing me on the street,” she told the group. “I’d like to know what you think I can do. They followed me out of the house and are following me everywhere I go.”

A car with a loudspeaker on the roof followed Silman’s vehicle while those inside the car called on her to not back the change government, Channel 12 News reported.

Silman has also been forced to pull her children out of school due to the backlash against her.

Following beefed-up security for Naftali Bennett and Ayelet Shaked, there are now at least four of the seven Yamina lawmakers in the Knesset who have been given additional protection due to the activism against the party joining MK Yair Lapid and his Yesh Atid party to form the so-called change government.