Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing intense pressure as ultra-Orthodox parties threaten to dissolve Parliament over military service exemptions for religious students. The opposition is pushing a motion to end the policy, which has sparked growing public anger and scrutiny since the Hamas-led attack on Gaza in October 2023.
Netanyahu’s coalition partners, United Torah Judaism and Shas, are locked in a dispute with other government members over proposals to limit exemptions from military service. The issue has taken on more urgency, and Netanyahu is struggling to maintain his governing coalition.
If the motion passes, it could deal a heavy blow to Netanyahu’s political credibility. Analysts say that even preliminary approval to dissolve Parliament could further destabilize Netanyahu’s government.
Netanyahu’s coalition was formed in 2022 and commands a majority of 68 seats in the 120-seat Knesset. The ultra-Orthodox parties hold 18 seats, giving them strong leverage. However, the opposition is exploiting the dispute to challenge Netanyahu’s government and push for new elections.
The parliamentary process before any final vote could take months, allowing Netanyahu time to shore up his coalition or create more favorable conditions before returning to the ballot box. But if the motion passes, it would undermine Netanyahu’s authority and potentially lead to early elections.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/11/world/middleeast/israel-knesset-vote-orthodox-draft-law.html