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Israel grants extra security to Yamina MKs amid escalating political tensions

June 7, 2021 at 12:11 pm

Naftali Bennett (C), leader of the Israeli right-wing Yamina (‘New Right’) party, accompanied by party candidate Ayelet Shaked (C-R) in Tel Aviv on March 24, 2021 [GIL COHEN-MAGEN/AFP via Getty Images]

The Israeli Knesset Guard yesterday granted extra security protection to two other lawmakers of the right-wing Yamina Party after they claimed to have been threatened by protesters aiming at pressuring them against backing the country’s new coalition which would bring in a new government and oust long-serving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

MKs Idit Silman and Nir Orbach are the latest lawmakers representing Yamina to receive increased protection after party leader and Prime Minister-designate Naftali Bennett, and party number two-member, Ayelet Shaked.

Right-wing activists loyal to Netanyahu staged protests in front of the two lawmakers’ homes, demanding they split from the so-called “change government” that would oust Israel’s longest-serving prime minister.

Silman informed the Knesset yesterday that she was being pursued by activists. Israeli broadcaster Kan said Silman has recently sent an audio message to Yamina group on WhatsApp in which she said that a car had been following her since she left her home.

According to Silman, the car’s passengers had a loudspeaker which they used to call on her not to vote in favour of the new government.

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