Israel may head to elections as haredi Orthodox parties rebel over army conscription
Netanyahu has faced crises over the haredi draft in the past and usually overcome them, though the issue has also stymied past coalitions of his
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seen during a discussion and a vote in the assembly hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, March 22, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
(JTA) — Israel’s government may fall soon as one of its haredi Orthodox factions threatens to leave because of a dispute over the military draft.
Israel requires all of its Jewish citizens to enlist in the military but has carved out an exception for haredi Orthodox men in a deal dating back to the states early days. The draft exemption, which is not anchored in law, has sparked protest for decades that has intensified during Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza, as Israeli reservists have served repeated, months-long tours. Last year, the Israeli Supreme Court ordered the government to start drafting haredi men.
Haredi politicians have demanded that the exemption continue, but progress on a bill has stalled. Now one of the haredi parties, United Torah Judaism, has said it will pull out of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing coalition, which is a mix of right-wing and religious parties.
If the other haredi party, Shas, also withdraws, Netanyahu will lose his majority in parliament, which would force elections.
Netanyahu has faced crises over the haredi draft in the past and usually overcome them, though the issue has also stymied past coalitions of his.
Most Israelis, polls show, oppose his prosecution of the war in Gaza, and predict that if elections were held today, he would struggle to win another term.
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