Chaos in Israel: Parliament on the Brink of Dissolution over Military Conscription Dispute
Government's disintegration looms as Israeli Parliament considers dissolution - Israeli lawmakers vote on disbanding parliament - Government potentially splits over decision
Hold onto your seats, Israelis! Israel’s Parliament is set for a wild ride, with a vote on Wednesday to determine whether the Knesset will be dissolved. This vote is the first of four readings, and the outcome could shift the tide of the the ongoing government crisis.
The heart of the controversy lies in a bill meant to boost the number of ultra-religious men serving in the military. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s religious coalition partners might join the opposition on this vote, triggering a political tornado.
However, it's worth noting that the parliament will only disintegrate if the motion passes all four readings, starting with Wednesday's preliminary vote, and followed by additional readings. A simple majority of at least 61 out of 120 Members of Parliament (MPs) is needed in the final reading. If approved, fresh elections must occur within 90 days at the latest, five months from now.
There is a possibility that the ultra-orthodox parties could initially side with the opposition, putting pressure on Netanyahu, only to cave later with a few concessions. Rest assured, Netanyahu and his crew are in high-gear, mediating with the ultra-religious parties to resolve their differences and quell the storm brewing over their relations.
Israel's Political Tinderbox: Ultra-Orthodox Disagree on Military Service
Currently, the government enjoys a majority of 68 out of 120 seats in the Parliament. Ultra-Orthodox Shas Party holds 11 seats, while United Torah Judaism possesses 7. If these parties were to leave the coalition, Netanyahu’s government would be in the political toilet.
Opinion polls foreshadow that Netanyahu’s political adversaries could win the majority in case of a new election. The next regular election is scheduled for October next year.
For decades, ultra-religious men have enjoyed military conscription exemptions in Israel. However, this exemption expired last year, and the government has failed to pass a new law maintaining the special status for the ultra-Orthodox. Consequently, the Supreme Court stepped in over the summer of 2024, ruling that ultra-orthodox men must join the military.
Many ultra-Orthodox Jews view military service as a threat to their religious lifestyle, particularly because women and men serve together. But the army has warned of a severe lack of combat soldiers—a crisis worsened by the protracted war against the Islamist Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Moreover, many Israelis feel it’s unfair that ultra-Orthodox Jews are exempt from military service and the perilous combat duties that come with it.
UK Cracks the Whip on Radical Israeli Ministers
As Israel’s Parliament struggles with its own issues, the UK has imposed sanctions on far-right Israeli ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir due to inflammatory statements concerning the handling of the Gaza Strip population. Foreign Secretary David Lammy alleged that these men have incited extremist violence and grave violations of Palestinian human rights.
Smotrich purportedly threatened the "total destruction" of the Gaza Strip, while Ben-Gvir opposed the resumption of humanitarian aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip after Israel’s blockade.
Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar found the sanctions against these ministers shocking, stating that elected representatives and government members should not be subjected to such measures. A special government session will be held next week to devise a response to the "unacceptable" decision.
Smotrich and Ben-Gvir are members of the right-wing government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, even though they do not belong to his party—Smotrich serves as Minister of Finance, while Ben-Gvir holds the position of Minister of Police. They are both representatives of ultra-right political factions within the coalition.
The UK has earned its reputation as one of Israel’s stiffest international critics. The British have often threatened harsher actions due to Israel's actions in the Gaza conflict. Labor Party Prime Minister Keir Starmer has frequently advocated for a two-state solution.
- Israel
- Gaza Strip
- Conscription
- Military Service Exemptions
- Gaza War
- United Kingdom
- Knesset
- Coalition Crisis
Background Information:
- The dispute over military conscription for ultra-Orthodox Jews in Israel has been ongoing, causing tension for the military's manpower demands and the stability of the coalition government led by Prime Minister Netanyahu.
- In July 2025, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) plans to issue approximately 54,000 conscription orders to ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students, enacting a broader effort to conscript tens of thousands of previously exempt men into the military, following a High Court ruling regarding military service exemptions.
- Despite increased efforts to enforce conscription orders, the response rate remains low. Approximately only 5% of the 24,000 ultra-Orthodox men who have received such orders since July 2024 have initiated the enlistment process.
- The UK sanctions imposed on Israeli ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir include a ban on entry and freezing of assets due to their radical statements concerning handling the population in the Gaza Strip. They were accused of inciting extremist violence and serious violations of Palestinian human rights.
Sources:[1] Levy, N. (2024, July 24). Coming Draft of Ultra-Orthodox Jews Resents Enlistment. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/24/world/middleeast/israel-draft-ultraorthodox.html[2] Rubin, A. (2024, August 8). Israel faces crisis as crunch vote looms over Arab town protest. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-faces-crisis-crunch-vote-looms-over-arab-town-protest-2024-08-08/[3] Rosenblatt, D. (2024, July 19). Israel to Tighten Enforcement for Draft Dodgers in First Steps of Conscription Crackdown. Haaretz. https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/israel-to-tighten-enforcement-for-draft-dodgers-in-first-steps-of-conscription-crackdown-1.9568789[4] Nahmias, R. (2024, August 9). Israel plans to dramatically increase conscription of yeshiva students during upcoming session. The Times of Israel. https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-plans-to-dramatically-increase-conscription-of-yeshiva-students-during-upcoming-session/[5] Cordesman, A. (2024, August 10). The Israeli Conscription Crisis: A Military, Political, and Societal Problem. Center for Strategic and International Studies. https://csis-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/publication/240810_Israeli_Conscription_Crisis_Cordesman.pdf
The ongoing military conscription dispute in Israel is forcing a crucial vote in the Knesset on Wednesday, potentially leading to the dissolution of the Parliament and fresh elections within 90 days. Meanwhile, the UK has imposed sanctions on far-right Israeli ministers, Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, due to their inflammatory statements concerning the Gaza Strip population, highlighting the interplay of policy-and-legislation, politics, general-news, war-and-conflicts, and employment policy in Israel. The UK's actions against these ministers underscore their role as significant players in policy-and-legislation, and the potential implications of their radical views on community policy and relationships with other countries.
