Israel ‘ultra-Orthodox' party threatens Netanyahu's Government over draft law
Israel's ultra-Orthodox Shas party on Monday (June 9, 2025) threatened to bring down Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government by backing a motion for early elections amid a row over military service.
Mr. Netanyahu's coalition, one of the most right-wing in Israel's history, is at risk of collapsing over a bill that could reverse the long-standing exemption from the draft for ultra-Orthodox Jews.
The exemption is facing growing pushback as Israel wages war on Palestinian militants Hamas in Gaza.
Mr. Netanyahu is under pressure from within his Likud party to draft more ultra-Orthodox men and impose penalties on draft dodgers — a red line for Shas.
The party is demanding legislation to permanently exempt its followers from military service and gave Mr. Netanyahu two days to find a solution.
'We don't want to bring down a right-wing government, but we've reached our limit,' Shas spokesperson Asher Medina told public radio.
'If there's no last-minute solution (on conscription), we'll vote to dissolve the Knesset,' he said, referring to the Israeli Parliament.
Last week, a Shas source told AFP the party was threatening to quit the coalition unless a solution was reached by Monday (June 9, 2025).
The Opposition is seeking to place a bill to dissolve parliament on Wednesday's (June 11, 2025) plenary agenda, hoping to capitalise on the ultra-Orthodox revolt to topple the Government.
Mr. Netanyahu's coalition, formed in December 2022, includes Likud, far-right factions and ultra-Orthodox parties. A walkout by the latter would end its majority.
A poll published in March by right-wing daily Israel Hayom found 85% of Israeli Jews support changing the conscription law for Haredim.
Forty-one percent backed compulsory military service — currently 32 months for men — for all eligible members of the community.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
34 minutes ago
- Time of India
Donald Trump reacts to 'kidnapping' of Greta Thunberg: 'She should do anger management'
President suggested anger management classes for Swedish climate activist who alleged that she was kidnapped by the Israeli army as she was on her way to give aid to Gaza. Thunberg, 22, and several others were taken into Israeli custody in international waters early Monday while attempting to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza, which faces a humanitarian crisis amid Hamas's ongoing war with Israel. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "If you see this video, we have been intercepted and kidnapped in international waters by the Israeli occupational forces, or forces that support Israel," Thunberg said in a video which was prerecorded. Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which operated the boat released the pre-recorded video as soon as the ship was out of communication. Israel claimed that the 'selfie yacht' of the celebrities was intercepted by the Israeli Army to provide them with sandwiches and water bottles. Trump had a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Monday and when he was asked if Greta Thunberg came up in their discussion, Trump said Greta is a strange person. "She's a young, angry person. I don't know if it's real anger; it's hard to believe, actually. But I saw what happened. She's certainly different. Anger management. I think she has to go to an angry management class. That's my primary recommendation for her. " "I find it—I think Israel has enough problems without kidnapping Greta Thunberg," Trump said. "Is that what she said? She was kidnapped by Israel?" Greta Thunberg rose to prominence when her video chastizing world leaders at the UN General Assembly Climate summit in 2019 went viral. She was also seen giving a "death stare" at Trump at the summit. 'She seems like a very happy young girl looking forward to a bright and wonderful future. So nice to see!' Trump wrote at that time, reacting to her angry speech, which was pointed at the president.
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Gaza-bound aid ship carrying Greta Thunberg arrives at Israeli port; activists likely to be held at detention facility
Greta Thunberg, and 11 other activists, arrived at the Ashdod port on Monday evening after Israeli forces seized the Gaza-bound aid ship 'Madleen' they were travelling on and detained them. Israel's foreign ministry confirmed the boat's arrival, with the Israeli navy's company, at the port of Ashdod on Monday evening. The ministry added that the 12 activists are undergoing a medical check-up to ensure their good health. The 12 people are likely to be held at a detention facility in Israel's Ramle city before their deportation. Meanwhile, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which operates the Madleen, alleged that the activists were "kidnapped by Israeli forces" while trying to deliver the desperately needed aid to war-torn Gaza. 'The ship was unlawfully boarded, its unarmed civilian crew abducted, and its life-saving cargo — including baby formula, food and medical supplies — confiscated,' it said in a statement. FFC added that the ship was seized in international waters about 200 kilometres from Gaza. Israel's foreign ministry, meanwhile, labelled the voyage as a "public relations stunt" and said in a post on X that "the 'selfie' yacht' of the 'celebrities' is safely making its way to the shores of Israel". The ministry added that the activists would be sent back to their homelands and the aid would be transferred to Gaza via established channels. Notably, Thunberg and the other activists set sail from Italy on the Madleen a week ago. In a pre-recorded message released after the aid ship's halt, Thunberg said, "I urge all my friends, family and comrades to put pressure on the Swedish government to release me and the others as soon as possible." Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard, however, said in a statement that the crew and passengers of the Gaza-bound aid ship were aware of the risks involved. She added that the ministry has advised against travel to Gaza for a decade, noting that people who disregard this advice have a clear personal responsibility. Rights group Adala said in a statement that Israel had "no legal authority" to take over the aid ship, because it was in international waters and it was headed not to Israel but to the 'territorial waters of the state of Palestine.' 'The arrest of the unarmed activists, who operated in a civilian manner to provide humanitarian aid, amounts to a serious breach of international law,' Adalah added.
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Israel says Gaza-bound aid boat with Greta Thunberg has arrived at Israeli port
Jerusalem, Jun 9 (AP) Israel's Foreign Ministry says 12 activists, including Greta Thunberg, have disembarked in the Israeli port of Ashdod after their Gaza-bound boat was seized. They are undergoing medical checks to ensure they are in good health. The ministry has published photographs on social media of Thunberg in the port of Ashdod. The activists are expected to be transferred to a detention facility ahead of deportation from Israel. (AP) GSP
