Yamina’s Kahana says Silman could still return after defection

Religious Affairs Minister Matan Kahana says fellow party member Idit Silman could still return to the coalition after her surprising defection last week.

“With God’s help, Idit could still return,” Kahana tells Channel 12 news.

“You know, the world of politics is pretty crazy… Nothing has happened that truly justifies her departure… I think that once the government returns [from the Knesset recess] and starts getting things done on the basis of its founding principles, Idit will see that we are doing good things, protecting right-wing values, without poking each other’s eyes out,” he says.

Still, he adds, the coalition “is certainly not in good shape; it’s not a minor hiccup.”

Silman’s Wednesday announcement, which she said was due to the “harming” of Jewish identity in Israel, means that the coalition no longer has a majority.