Tensions within "Israel's" ruling coalition are reaching a boiling point as ultra-Orthodox political parties threaten to dismantle the Knesset over the government's failure to enact legislation shielding yeshiva students from military conscription.

According to Israel Hayom, far-right religious factions, known collectively as the Haredi bloc, are now united in their readiness to break ranks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom they have labelled "a burden." Their frustration stems from the delayed passage of a long-promised draft exemption law, derailed by both legal rulings and internal coalition disagreements.

A senior figure in Degel HaTorah told the newspaper that "all the Haredi parties are coordinated regarding the vote." The same official alluded to internal discord among government allies, saying: "Aryeh Deri (leader of the extremist Shas party) is torn between his voters and will only join after we lead the move."

Deri himself confirmed the party's stance in recent statements: "There is no choice left. We don't like it, but we need to support the dissolution of the Knesset," adding that Netanyahu "is mocking us" through continued inaction.

Draft Divide

Related News

Shas party backs Knesset dissolution, Netanyahu's coalition at risk

Gantz refuses to meet with Ultra-Orthodox Jews, far-right leader

The political crisis was sparked by a 2024 Supreme Court ruling that deemed the blanket exemption of Haredi men from military service unconstitutional. That ruling, which invalidated decades of informal policy, has fueled anger among ultra-Orthodox leaders and narrowed Netanyahu's already limited options. Any attempt to push through new exemptions risks immediate legal challenges and widespread backlash from secular factions.

Behind the scenes, coalition fractures are becoming increasingly visible. Key Likud members, most notably Yuli Edelstein, chairman of the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and War Committee, have openly opposed concessions to the Haredim, pushing instead for enforcement measures against draft evasion. Ultra-Orthodox leaders now demand Edelstein's removal, claiming he, not the Haredim, is sabotaging the coalition's stability.

Read more: Netanyahu weighs firing Edelstein amid Haredi draft law dispute

Meanwhile, Shas, which controls 11 seats, and United Torah Judaism (UTJ), with 7, have held emergency meetings in recent days. UTJ's two factions, Degel HaTorah and Agudat Yisrael, have reportedly received explicit instructions from their rabbinical leadership to withdraw from the government. According to Israel's public broadcaster Kan, influential rabbis Dov Landau and Moshe Hillel Hirsch refused to meet with Netanyahu and declared, "There is no point in further discussions," marking a breakdown in dialogue.

Election Looms

Opposition parties, sensing opportunity, have already submitted a motion to dissolve the Knesset. A preliminary vote is expected on June 11 and requires only a simple majority. "This Knesset is finished. It has nowhere left to go," declared opposition leader Yair Lapid, "All it has brought to the State of Israel is pain, tragedy, bereavement, and crisis."

Agudat Yisrael, for its part, is reportedly drafting its own legislation to force early elections and has initiated quiet talks with opposition leader Benny Gantz to coordinate strategy.

With Netanyahu's coalition teetering at 68 seats and growing pressure from both the judiciary and the military establishment, the likelihood of early elections is increasing. Despite warnings from senior ministers like Bezalel Smotrich, who warned that "the governmental crisis is dangerous, and we are close to early elections, which could lead to the stop or loss of war", Haredi parties appear resolute.

For them, shielding the "Torah community" from conscription is a red line.