Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition is facing serious challenges as opposition parties leverage internal conflicts regarding military exemptions for ultra-Orthodox students, potentially leading to early elections and a blow to his political credibility.
Netanyahu Faces Political Turmoil as Coalition Stresses Military Exemption Controversy
Netanyahu Faces Political Turmoil as Coalition Stresses Military Exemption Controversy
The Israeli Prime Minister is under increased pressure as ultra-Orthodox coalition parties threaten parliamentary dissolution over military service exemptions.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is grappling with significant political pressure amid threats from ultra-Orthodox coalition partners to support an opposition motion aimed at dissolving Parliament. Scheduled for a vote on Wednesday, this initiative constitutes a critical challenge to Netanyahu's right-wing government, raising the possibility of early elections.
If passed, the motion may not lead to an immediate government collapse due to the lengthy parliamentary processes involved. However, it poses a considerable threat to Netanyahu’s political standing. The opposition is capitalizing on a contentious dispute regarding the long-standing policy of exempting ultra-Orthodox men in religious studies from mandatory military service.
The ultra-Orthodox parties, United Torah Judaism and Shas, are embroiled in conflict with other coalition members over proposed restrictions on these exemptions, a matter made more pressing by the escalating public discontent since the beginning of the war in Gaza following the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023. United Torah Judaism has pledged to support the opposition's voting motion, declaring it cannot endorse any policy that enforces military drafts on seminary students. Should Shas follow suit, they could secure the necessary majority to advance the motion.
With Netanyahu’s coalition currently holding a majority of 68 seats in the 120-seat Knesset, the 18 seats occupied by Shas and United Torah Judaism add significant leverage to the opposition's campaign. Despite their support for military service requirements for ultra-Orthodox students, the opposition’s primary goal appears to be destabilizing Netanyahu’s administration and instigating new elections. If the opposition motion does succeed, parliamentary committees would conduct reviews before the matter returns for additional votes, potentially allowing Netanyahu to delay proceedings.
Political analysts warn that even a preliminary endorsement of this motion could precipitate deeper instability within the government. "The entire system would shift into election mode," asserts Aviv Bushinsky, a noted political analyst and former advisor to Netanyahu, emphasizing that a lost vote would reflect poorly on the Prime Minister's leadership abilities and command over his coalition.
As of now, the next scheduled election would not occur until October 2026 if the government completes its full term. This current political predicament showcases the fragility within Netanyahu's administration, which is marked by its right-wing and religiously conservative stance, leaving room for speculation about its future trajectory.
