Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing a significant political threat as his coalition grapples with a divisive issue surrounding the exemption of ultra-Orthodox Jews from military service. The disagreement within the coalition has the potential to lead to its collapse, which would likely result in new elections.
The exemption for ultra-Orthodox men from military service has been a longstanding issue in Israel, but the recent conflict in Gaza has heightened tensions surrounding the issue. The coalition is divided on whether to continue allowing the exemption, with secular members and ultra-Orthodox lawmakers at odds on the matter.
The Supreme Court’s recent decision to suspend special educational subsidies for seminary students who have failed to answer their military call-ups has further escalated the situation. Ultra-Orthodox leaders are concerned about the financial impact on their education system and fear that the funding freeze is a step towards mandatory military service for their community.
The standoff reflects a broader conflict in Israeli society between secular Israelis and the ultra-Orthodox minority. The growing resentment towards the exemption has been fueled by the increasing numbers of ultra-Orthodox individuals and the perceived lack of contribution to the economy and military service.
While some ultra-Orthodox leaders have expressed willingness to remain in the coalition for now, the situation remains precarious. The potential collapse of the coalition could lead to new elections, with polling suggesting that Netanyahu may not win in such a scenario.
The outcome of the coalition’s deliberations on the exemption issue could have significant implications for the future of Israel and its relations with neighboring countries. A new government led by centrists may take a different approach to the conflict in Gaza and could impact Israel’s diplomatic relations with countries like Saudi Arabia.
Overall, the political crisis facing Netanyahu’s coalition underscores the deep divisions within Israeli society and the challenges of balancing the interests of different groups within the country.
