The Israeli Ultra-Orthodox Shas party has announced its withdrawal from the coalition government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This decision comes in response to lawmakers’ inability to secure a future exemption for religious students from military conscription, a long-standing issue that has sparked significant discontent within the community.
The departure of Shas has thrown Netanyahu’s government into a precarious situation, complicating his ability to govern effectively as a minority party. This exit follows closely on the heels of another ultra-Orthodox party, United Torah Judaism (UTJ), which recently resigned from the government for the same reasons, further straining Netanyahu’s leadership amid ongoing domestic protests.
For years, ultra-Orthodox seminary students had enjoyed exemptions from mandatory military service. However, a ruling from the Israeli Supreme Court last year mandated an end to this exemption. Since then, the Israeli Parliament has struggled to draft a new conscription bill that aligns with the demands of both Shas and UTJ, yet progress remains elusive. As the situation evolves, the pressure on Israel’s government grows, highlighting the tensions between religious exemptions and national service obligations.
Original Source: https://www.newsonair.gov.in/netanyahus-key-coalition-partner-quits-govt-israel/
Category: International
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Publish Date: 2025-07-17 08:54:00
