Thousands of Israelis attended a right-wing rally in Jerusalem Wednesday evening following Coalition Chairwoman and Yamina MK Idit Silman's resignation from the government, a move that might pave the way for a new, potentially right-wing, coalition.
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"This government needs to go home," Opposition Leader Benjamin Netanyahu said at the event. He congratulated Silman for "doing the right thing" and called on other lawmakers to defect from the ruling coalition.
"I call on those still in the coalition with a heart and a conscience, come back home. Come back to the right. We all know, the days of this government are numbered. It's nearing an end.
"It is time for unity. It is time to return home and come back to the national camp. Our door is open for anyone. It's open for anyone who was elected by votes from the right and wants to bring Israel back to the moral track, to the strong track, the winning track," he said while the crowd chanted, "Bibi, king of Israel," and carried banners reading, "The people need a Jewish country," and "The people demand a Zionist government."
Netanyahu continued, "When the real national camp is united, we secure the safety and future of Israel. But when we are not united, we received this dangerous and failing government."
The diverse coalition that unseated Netanyahu this past summer after 12 years as Israel's longest-serving prime minister is facing its biggest crisis since its formation with Silman's exit eliminating its parliamentary majority.
Telling the current government to "go home," Netanyahu said that Israel needs a "strong government that will fight terror, block Iran and maintain the heritage of Israel." The former premier concluded by saying that there is "great energy here ... you feel where this is going."
The rally was also attended by other lawmakers, rabbis and heads of the Judea and Samaria Council. Silman herself refused to attend the event.
Bennett for his part reacted to the news of Silman's resignation by saying that she "broke" after constant "persecution" from Netanyahu's supporters as well as backers of Bezalel Smotrich, leader of the Religious Zionism Party.
i24NEWS contributed to this report.
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