Netanyahu’s Coalition Faces Collapse Over Ultra-Orthodox Military Exemption

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition is facing a severe crisis as ultra-Orthodox parties threaten to support a bill to dissolve parliament over the failure to pass legislation exempting their community from mandatory military service. This exemption issue, rooted in a 1948 agreement and declared unconstitutional by Israel's top court in 2017, has become a highly divisive topic, especially amid the ongoing 21-month conflict with Hamas. The ultra-Orthodox, who make up roughly 13-16% of the population and live in a religious bubble, refuse military service, leading to significant societal tension and political instability. Netanyahu’s government is attempting to delay the dissolution vote by flooding the Knesset’s agenda with other bills, aiming to buy time and survive until the parliamentary recess. Opposition and coalition members are engaged in intense negotiations, but the threat to collapse the government remains if no compromise is reached. The crisis marks the most serious challenge to Netanyahu’s leadership since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack and highlights the complex intersection of religion, politics, and security in Israel.