Ultra-Orthodox Parties Exit Netanyahu’s Coalition Over Military Draft Dispute
Ultra-Orthodox Parties Quit Netanyahu’s Coalition Over Military Draft Dispute
Two major ultra-Orthodox parties have exited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ruling coalition over stalled efforts to pass a law exempting Yeshiva students from compulsory military service — a move that threatens to shake the foundation of his government.
On Monday, Degel HaTorah, a faction of the United Torah Judaism (UTJ) alliance, announced its withdrawal following a directive from top Haredi rabbis. Hours later, Agudat Yisrael — the Hasidic wing of UTJ — followed suit.
The resignations come amid deepening tensions between Israel’s religious and secular communities over military conscription, a long-standing flashpoint in Israeli politics.
“The authorities are intensifying pressure on Torah scholars, repeatedly degrading and disrespecting them,” wrote Rabbi Dov Landau, a leading ultra-Orthodox authority who ordered the resignation. “Time and again, they fail to honor their commitments.”
Coalition Stability in Question
While the departures don’t immediately collapse Netanyahu’s government, they severely weaken its parliamentary strength. Prior to the exits, the Likud-led coalition held 67 of the 120 seats in the Knesset. Without the ultra-Orthodox bloc, it may now struggle to pass legislation or survive no-confidence motions.
At the heart of the rift is a draft bill that would legally enshrine military service exemptions for ultra-Orthodox men studying in religious seminaries. Talks on finalizing the bill have reportedly stalled, despite Netanyahu’s ongoing attempts to broker a compromise.
Degel HaTorah has said it would rejoin the coalition only if a new draft law — one that satisfies top rabbinical authorities — is presented and progressed.
