Coalition Crisis Unfolds in Israel
Israel's political landscape faced a significant shakeup on July 15 when the ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism (UTJ) party announced its departure from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition government. This move, driven by a contentious military conscription bill, has left Netanyahu with a razor-thin majority of 61 seats in the 120-seat Knesset. The resignation of six UTJ lawmakers, representing both the Degel HaTorah and Agudat Yisrael factions, is set to take effect within 48 hours of their announcement.
The crux of the dispute lies in the government's failure to secure exemptions for ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students from mandatory military service, a long-standing privilege for the Haredi community. UTJ's chairman, Yitzhak Goldknopf, had already resigned in June, signaling growing discontent within the party. In a statement, the Degel HaTorah faction expressed frustration over 'repeated violations by the government to its commitments to ensure the status of holy yeshiva students who diligently engage in their studies,' prompting their exit from both the coalition and the government.
Shas Party Follows Suit, Deepening Political Turmoil
Adding to the crisis, another ultra-Orthodox party, Shas, with 11 seats in the Knesset, also declared its resignation from Netanyahu's cabinet on July 16. While Shas has chosen to remain within the broader coalition for now, their departure from cabinet roles further weakens the government's stability. The party cited the same issue of military draft exemptions as the reason for their decision, highlighting the deep rift over this policy within Israel's religious-political sphere.
This dual exit comes at a precarious time for Israel, amid ongoing conflicts and internal divisions. The loss of support from both UTJ and Shas underscores the fragility of Netanyahu's coalition, which now faces heightened risks of collapse. Political analysts note that while Shas's decision to stay in the coalition offers a temporary lifeline, the unresolved draft law dispute could still trigger early elections if not addressed swiftly.
Broader Implications of the Draft Law Dispute
The military conscription issue has long been a point of contention in Israel, where most citizens are required to serve in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Ultra-Orthodox communities have historically been exempt to focus on religious studies, a policy repeatedly challenged by Israel's Supreme Court as unconstitutional. Despite these rulings, political maneuvering has delayed implementation, with ultra-Orthodox parties leveraging their influence in coalition governments to maintain exemptions.
The current crisis threatens to reshape Israel's political dynamics at a critical juncture. With Netanyahu's majority hanging by a thread, the government must navigate both domestic unrest and external pressures. The debate over equal burden-sharing in military service continues to polarize Israeli society, raising questions about the future of coalition politics and the balance between religious and secular interests in governance.