Israel’s ultra-Orthodox Degel HaTorah party has threatened to destabilize Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and push for early elections after reports surfaced that Netanyahu might delay a contentious military conscription bill until after the upcoming elections. The current Knesset term is set to conclude in October, prompting discussions around national elections. Degel HaTorah, alongside Agudat Yisrael, forms the ultra-Orthodox alliance United Torah Judaism, holding seven seats in the 120-member Knesset, while the Shas party adds 11 more seats to the coalition. Despite the threats, even if Degel HaTorah withdraws, the government would still maintain a majority with 68 seats. The ultra-Orthodox parties have been advocating for legislation to exempt Haredi Jews from mandatory military service, but the proposal faces internal opposition within the coalition. Netanyahu’s associates indicated that advancing the exemption bill in its current form is not feasible, with calls from Haredi parties to expedite elections to September if their demands are unmet.
Why It Matters
The issue of military conscription for Haredi Jews is a longstanding and contentious topic in Israel, where the ultra-Orthodox community makes up about 13% of the population. Historically, members of this community have avoided conscription through deferments linked to religious study, with the current exemption age set at 26. A Supreme Court ruling in June 2024 mandated the conscription of ultra-Orthodox men, ending state subsidies for religious institutions that refuse military service. The ongoing protests reflect deep-seated tensions between secular and ultra-Orthodox values in Israeli society, making military service a significant political issue that could influence upcoming elections and coalition stability.
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