"Israeli" MPs to vote on bid to dissolve Knesset

Roya News

a day ago

Israeli Occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's fragile governing coalition is under serious strain ahead of a parliamentary vote on Wednesday that could set the stage for its collapse.
The vote, initiated by the opposition, proposes dissolving the Knesset, a move that hinges on whether Netanyahu's ultra-Orthodox allies will continue backing him, the Associated Press (AP) reported.
The vote comes amid deepening tensions within Netanyahu's right-wing coalition, triggered by the failure to pass a long-promised law exempting ultra-Orthodox men from military service. The issue has sparked intense public debate, especially as the war in Gaza stretches into its ninth month and military manpower is under unprecedented pressure.
Despite the turmoil, many analysts believe Netanyahu may still strike a deal to keep his government afloat. But the vote remains the most significant threat to his leadership since the war on Gaza began on Oct. 7, 2023.
'We transported at least 31 martyrs and about 200 wounded as a result of Israeli tank and drone fire on thousands of citizens... on their way to receive food from the American aid centre,' civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal told Agence France-Presse (AFP).
While the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) have yet to comment on the vote or the allegations from Gaza, tensions across "Israeli" society remain high, especially concerning mandatory military service.
In "Israel", most Jewish men must serve nearly three years in the army, followed by regular reserve duty. Jewish women serve for two years. But ultra-Orthodox men, who make up about 13 percent of the population, have historically received exemptions if they are enrolled in religious seminaries. These exemptions have long stirred resentment among the broader public, particularly because seminary students often receive government stipends until the age of 26.
The backlash intensified following October 7, which led to the call-up of 360,000 reservists, the country's largest mobilization since 1973. The war's duration and intensity have stretched "Israel's" military thin, and enthusiasm for continued reserve service is waning.
The military has increasingly relied on social media to encourage enlistment, as growing numbers of reservists are reportedly refusing additional tours. Meanwhile, ultra-Orthodox enlistment remains extremely low, despite early signs of increased interest following the October attack.
The longstanding exemption policy originated in 1948, meant to preserve the small number of Torah scholars who survived the Holocaust. But over time, the system has ballooned, now covering tens of thousands. The Supreme Court declared the arrangement unlawful in 2017, but successive governments have avoided enacting a permanent alternative.
Some ultra-Orthodox leaders fiercely oppose any form of military conscription. Rabbi Ephraim Luft from Bnei Brak said, 'It mixes together people with very different backgrounds, very different ideas, some people with very immoral ideas.' He emphasized the community's belief that religious devotion protects the state as much as armed service. 'There's no difference between the Spanish Inquisition or the Israeli draft law,' he said.
Two ultra-Orthodox parties, Shas and Degel HaTorah, are critical to Netanyahu's ruling coalition. Both have hinted at withdrawing support if the draft exemption law is not passed. A Shas spokesperson warned on Monday that they may back the vote to dissolve the government unless a resolution is reached. Degel HaTorah has voiced similar concerns for over a week.
Critics argue that the religious parties are placing narrow interests above national unity. 'Basically, they don't really care about the war and the economic situation of the state and anything else but their communal interest,' said Shuki Friedman, vice president of the Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI).
According to a parliamentary committee, roughly 13,000 ultra-Orthodox men reach the draft age of 18 each year, yet less than 10 percent enlist. With the ultra-Orthodox population growing at about 4 percent annually, many experts, including Friedman, believe the current model is unsustainable.
Even if the vote passes on Wednesday, it is just the first step. It would still require additional votes and procedural hurdles, potentially delaying any actual government dissolution for weeks or months, said political science professor Gayil Talshir from Hebrew University.
'It will be like a gun that's been put into position, but that doesn't mean the coalition is over,' she explained. "Israel's" next scheduled elections are not until fall 2026.
Still, pressure is mounting. Top ultra-Orthodox rabbis issued a religious decree Tuesday reinforcing opposition to military service, making it politically harder for their parties to compromise.
Thousands of draft notices have already been sent to ultra-Orthodox men, and although only a small number have been arrested, the fear is palpable, according to Friedman.
With the Gaza war continuing and captive negotiations in flux, Netanyahu insists "Israel" must remain unified. However, his ultra-Orthodox allies are eager for the war to end, believing that only then can they safely secure a lasting exemption law.