Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly considering removing Yuli Edelstein, chairman of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, over his firm opposition to the Haredi draft exemption law.

The proposed law would exempt ultra-Orthodox Jews, commonly referred to as Haredim, from mandatory military service.

According to "Israel’s" Channel 11, pressure is mounting from Haredi parties and leading rabbis, who have signaled that failure to pass the exemption law could lead to a push for dissolving the government, placing Netanyahu’s ruling coalition under serious strain.

Though Netanyahu’s office has denied plans to dismiss Edelstein, political sources suggest his inner circle is actively evaluating the strategic implications of such a move, especially as Haredi demands for swift legislative action grow more urgent.

Haredi boycott and threats to withdraw from government

The United Torah Judaism bloc, a key Haredi faction, boycotted a recent Knesset meeting focused on the draft law. The bloc stated that Edelstein “refuses to compromise, making attendance pointless.” The boycott underscores the rising tensions between secular and religious factions within the coalition.

Senior Haredi rabbis reportedly convened to assess whether they should continue backing the current government. While they have not called for immediate action, their patience appears limited.

Read more: ‘Government’s last days’: Haredi leaders threaten Netanyahu over draft

Backchannel talks and potential Knesset dissolution

Moshe (Motty) Babchik, a senior figure within the Agudat Yisrael party and close to the influential Gur Rebbe, reportedly met with opposition leader Benny Gantz to explore options for dissolving the Knesset.

Related News

Spain seeks immediate suspension of EU association pact with 'Israel'

Iran launches multi-batch attack on 'Israel', strategic facility hit

Sources indicate that some Haredi lawmakers may consider cooperating with the opposition if the exemption law is delayed or blocked.

This political maneuvering signals a potential alliance between discontented religious parties and opposition forces, further threatening the stability of Netanyahu’s coalition.

Read more: Lapid slams Netanyahu as 'Israel' faces global backlash

Judicial pressure, political calculations

Meanwhile, "Israel’s" Supreme Court has reiterated the legal requirement to apply military conscription laws equitably across all social groups. This judicial stance has intensified pressure on Netanyahu from both the military and legal establishments, even as his Haredi allies threaten to leave the government if draft evasion arrests continue.

Haredi leaders push for coalition exit, Knesset dissolution looms

Senior Haredi leaders have reportedly instructed their representatives in the United Torah Judaism (UTJ) party to withdraw from the government over the failure to pass legislation exempting yeshiva students from military service, escalating the ongoing Haredi draft exemption crisis, Israeli media reported.

According to the reports, a key meeting between UTJ officials and Edelstein ended without progress. Sources indicated that the lack of compromise has pushed influential Haredi factions to consider dissolving the Israeli government.

Degel Hatorah Rabbis demand withdrawal from coalition

Degel Hatorah, one of UTJ's two factions, has reportedly received clear directives from its spiritual leaders to exit the ruling coalition.

MK Moshe Gafni, the party's chairman, was instructed to begin efforts toward government dissolution following the failed talks.

The other faction, Agudat Yisrael, led by UTJ chair Yitzchak Goldknopf, is already said to be working on advancing a Knesset dissolution bill, potentially triggering early elections.

A statement reportedly issued on behalf of Rabbi Moshe Hirsch, the dean of Bnei Brak’s Slabodka yeshiva and member of Degel Hatorah’s Council of Torah Sages, stated, “After Knesset members briefed [Rabbi Moshe] Hirsch on the details of the meeting with Edelstein, it is clear there is no progress at all on the draft issue. Accordingly, the rosh yeshiva will order withdrawal from the coalition in the near future.”

Opposition moves to dissolve Knesset

In reaction to the brewing crisis, opposition parties, including Yesh Atid, Yisrael Beytenu, and the Democrats, announced plans to submit a bill to dissolve the Knesset next Wednesday. The move gives Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a limited window to negotiate a resolution before the bill advances through parliament.

Netanyahu’s coalition under threat

The UTJ and Shas parties had previously demanded that legislation granting draft exemptions for Haredi yeshiva students be passed by the Shavuot holiday, which ended on June 2. They warned that any delay would jeopardize the coalition’s survival.

While UTJ alone, with seven mandates, lacks the numbers to bring down the government, its exit would only be consequential if backed by Shas. Netanyahu’s coalition currently controls 68 of the Knesset's 120 seats, making unity among coalition partners critical.