Face It: Israeli Opposition Falls Short in Push for Early Elections Amid Ultra-Orthodox Dispute
Parliamentary Vote Falls Through for Israeli Opposition, No Fresh Elections in Sight
Let's get down to the nitty-gritty: The Israeli opposition's bid to spark new elections by rushing parliament out the door hit a roadblock. Key allies in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, notably ultra-religious parties, seemed on board initially, but that was before a contentious bill reared its head. The bone of contention? Military conscription for ultra-Orthodox men.
The numbers from the parliamentary vote speak volumes. In a preliminary reading, a sight to behold with 61 out of 120 MPs voting against the opposition's bill. Before this, there were signs of progress in talks between the ultra-Orthodox parties and Juli Edelstein, chair of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. Media outlet "ynet" reported that Edelstein was crafting a bill to bring ultra-Orthodox men into the armed forces and penalize those who shun service[1].
With the ultra-Orthodox coalition partners threatening to abandon ship, Netanyahu and his cronies have been on a mission to stem the rising political crisis. The conscription of ultra-Orthodox men is nothing new, as these men have been given a pass on military service for quite some time. However, this exemption expired last year, prompting the government to push for a permanent extension.
The Israeli Supreme Court intervened in the summer of 2024, ruling that ultra-Orthodox men must embark on their military adventure[2]. Many ultra-Orthodox Jews see military service as a threat to their religious way of life, mainly due to the close quarters of men and women in the armed forces[3]. Yet, the army raised an alarm over a soldier shortage, given the longstanding conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip[4].
Sources:1. ntv.de2. dpa3. ynet4. Fox News
- The Israeli opposition's push for early elections, despite initial support from ultra-Orthodox parties, has been obstructed by a contentious policy-and-legislation issue related to military conscription for ultra-Orthodox men, a matter that has roots in both politics and general news.
- Amid the ongoing dispute over military conscription, community policy and employment policy are at the center of the political crisis in Israel, with the ultra-Orthodox parties threatening to leave the coalition if their exemption from military service is not extended, and discussions over a new bill focusing on employment policy for these men gaining traction.
