Haredi conscription dispute leads to withdrawal of Degel HaTorah from Israeli government
Israel is currently grappling with a political crisis, as ultra-Orthodox parties within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition threaten to exit over a contentious bill regarding military service exemptions. The proposed law, which aims to address long-standing exemptions granted to ultra-Orthodox Jewish seminary students, has led to significant political instability and societal divisions.
The ultra-Orthodox parties, crucial partners in Netanyahu's coalition, have already begun to exit, leaving the government with a precarious majority in the Knesset. With the support of these parties, Netanyahu's government initially held 72 seats out of 120, but their departure has reduced this to just 61. This vulnerability makes the coalition more susceptible to pressure from other coalition members, particularly far-right parties.
The exemptions from military service have created deep divisions within Israeli society. Many view the exemptions as unfair, especially during times of conflict like the ongoing war in Gaza. The ultra-Orthodox, on the other hand, argue that their study of sacred texts serves the nation, while most Israelis see the exemptions as unjust, further exacerbated by the economic benefits received by ultra-Orthodox men for studying.
The departure of these parties from the coalition has significantly weakened Netanyahu's government. Without their support, sustaining a majority and governing effectively becomes increasingly difficult. If another ultra-Orthodox party leaves, Netanyahu's coalition could lose its majority entirely, making governance almost impossible.
The political instability limits Netanyahu's ability to make concessions in critical negotiations, such as those with Hamas. The conflict over the draft bill also highlights broader societal tensions in Israel, with many Israelis questioning the fairness of broader benefits and exemptions enjoyed by the ultra-Orthodox community.
The dispute stems from a Supreme Court ruling that mandates Haredi enlistment and cuts state funding to religious schools that resist compliance. Mass protests have erupted among ultra-Orthodox communities, and senior rabbis are urging followers to refuse enlistment orders. The proposed draft law could deepen inequality and public resentment over conscription in Israel.
As the Knesset reconvenes in October, Netanyahu has time to maneuver and potentially address the draft law issue, preventing further coalition departures. However, the fate of the bill and the future of Netanyahu's coalition remain uncertain, with the political landscape in Israel shifting rapidly.
- The political crisis in Israel, driven by a contentious bill regarding military service exemptions, has led to significant political instability and societal divisions, particularly in the realm of general-news.
- The departure of ultra-Orthodox parties from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition has weakened his government, making it more vulnerable to pressure from other coalition members, specifically in the realm of policy-and-legislation.
- The proposed draft law, which mandates Haredi enlistment and cuts state funding to religious schools that resist compliance, has sparked mass protests within ultra-Orthodox communities and questioning among many Israelis about fairness in the realm of history and societal dynamics.
- Despite the upcoming reconvening of the Knesset in October, the fate of the draft law and the future of Netanyahu's coalition remain uncertain, with the potential for further coalition departures and rapid shifts in the political landscape of Israel in the realm of business and news.
