re: #121 Charles Johnson

The nature of the coalition governments in Israel is that a small party in the coalition (or a faction within the major party itself) can force the larger party (like Likud) to shift to the right or left, depending on the issue and the threat of leaving the coalition. Happens all the time. In recent years, Likud has shifted to the right because of The Jewish Home party, particularly when it comes to dealing with the Palestinians.

While Lapid’s Yesh Atid is willing to engage with the Palestinians and allow for some concessions, Jewish Home is pushing to annex C areas in the West Bank.