JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli government has failed to pass a bill extending legal protections for settlers in the occupied West Bank. Monday’s vote marks a major setback for the fragile coalition government that could hasten its demise and send the country to new elections. The failure to renew the bill also highlighted the separate legal systems in the West Bank, where nearly 500,000 Jewish settlers enjoy the benefits of Israeli citizenship while some 3 million Palestinians live under military rule that is now well into its sixth decade. Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s coalition remains in power. But Monday’s vote underscored the weaknesses and divisions in the fragile alliance and raised questions about how long it can survive.
Israeli coalition suffers loss, faces uncertain prospects
