The True Post (Web News) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is facing a major political crisis following the withdrawal of United Torah Judaism (UTJ), a key ultra-Orthodox coalition partner, amid growing tensions over a controversial military draft bill.
According to reports from Israeli media, the UTJ’s departure was triggered by the government’s failure to pass legislation that would exempt ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students from mandatory military service. The issue has long been a source of friction within Netanyahu’s diverse coalition, but recent developments pushed the conflict to a breaking point.
One UTJ member had already stepped down in protest, and now the remaining six members of the party have also left the coalition. This sudden exit leaves Netanyahu with a razor-thin one-seat majority in the 120-member Knesset, severely weakening the stability of his government.
The spotlight now turns to the Shas party, another ultra-Orthodox faction with 11 seats, whose next move could determine the future of the current coalition. If Shas also decides to withdraw, it would likely spell the end of Netanyahu’s government and trigger early elections.
Ultra-Orthodox parties like UTJ and Shas have consistently opposed efforts to mandate military service for their religious scholars, viewing it as a threat to their religious way of life. On the other hand, secular and nationalist factions in the government have demanded equal burden-sharing, making the issue a deeply divisive one.
The current crisis highlights the ongoing struggle within Israeli society over the role of religion in state affairs and the deep political challenges Netanyahu faces in trying to hold together a fragile and ideologically diverse coalition.
