Parliament in Israel declines proposal for self-dissolution
Jerusalem's Parliament Escapes Dissolution in Conscription Deal
In a late-night session on June 12, Israel's Parliament, or Knesset, rejected a motion to dissolve itself, thwarting a potential early election. The vote, 61 against and 53 in favor, fell short of the majority required for dissolution (61 lawmakers).
This decision offers more time for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition to navigate its most significant political crisis to date and steer clear of a vote, which would be Israel's first since the Gaza conflict erupted.
Netanyahu has been spearheading efforts to break a deadlock within his coalition over a new conscription bill, a point of contention that has ignited the current crisis.
Yuli Edelstein, chairman of the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee, announced a deal on the principles that will guide the draft law. This agreement comes after intense discussions involving religious factions within Netanyahu's coalition and other lawmakers.
The dispute revolves around service exemptions for ultra-Orthodox Jewish seminary students, a contentious issue in Israel for years. However, it has gained additional attention during the Gaza war, as Israel has experienced its highest battlefield casualties in decades and its stretched military is in need of more troops.
Ultra-Orthodox coalition factions, frustrated by the political deadlock, threatened to align with opposition parties in favor of dissolving the Knesset and triggering an early election. Their impatience stems from a desire to replace Netanyahu's government and resolve issues, such as ending the Gaza war and securing the release of hostages[1].
Opposition lawmaker Merav Michaeli of Labour asserted, "It's more than ever urgent to replace Netanyahu's government and specifically this toxic and harmful government."
Polls predict that Netanyahu's coalition would lose an election, given the ongoing repercussions of the Palestinian militant group Hamas' October 7, 2023, attack. This surprise attack proved lethal for over 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages being taken to Gaza. The hostages remain captive[1].
Since the attack, Israel's offensive against Hamas in Gaza has claimed nearly 55,000 Palestinian lives, leaving the territory in ruins and its over two million inhabitants displaced and grappling with a humanitarian crisis. The conflict has also claimed the lives of over 400 Israeli soldiers, fueling anger among Israelis over the ultra-Orthodox exemption demands[2].
Nonetheless, ultra-Orthodox religious leaders view full-time religious study as sacred and perceive military service as a threat to students' religious lifestyle[2].
[1] Reuters. (n.d.). Israel avoids early election for now as ruling coalition survives key vote. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-avoids-early-election-now-ruling-coalition-survives-key-vote-2023-06-12/
[2] Reuters. (n.d.). Israel's ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties push coalition to lift military draft exemptions. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israels-ultra-orthodox-jewish-parties-push-coalition-lift-military-draft-exemptions-2023-06-07//
The upcoming policy-and-legislation discussion on a new conscription bill, which has caused a significant war-and-conflicts-related political crisis in Israel, will be guided by a recent deal concerning service exemptions for ultra-Orthodox Jewish seminary students. General-news outlets report that the dispute has intensified during the Gaza conflict, as the stretched military needs more troops amidst the highest battlefield casualties in decades. The deal comes after intense discussions involving religious factions within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition and other lawmakers, with the agreement aimed at steering clear of an early election.
