With coalition MKs boycotting two no-confidence motions in the plenum on Monday, the motions passed without a single MK voting against them and 30 MKs supporting the call to topple the coalition.

Since a majority of 61 of the 120 MKs is needed to topple the coalition, coalition lawmakers were able to symbolically protest the presenting of the motions while the prime minister is in Germany, with Kadima, the opposition leader, unwilling to withdraw the no-confidence motions as is standard practice if the prime minister is not in the country.

The entire opposition numbers less than the minimum number needed, 61, so the vote in essence was insignificant, but coalition MKs have vowed that the opposition will “pay dearly” for insisting on holding the vote and ignoring accepted Knesset practice. (Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)