Latest news with #military draft
The Independent
a day ago
- Politics
- The Independent
A key coalition partner of Netanyahu is quitting, leaving him with minority in Israeli parliament
A key governing partner of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday it is quitting the government, leaving him with a minority in parliament. The Shas ultra-Orthodox party said it was leaving over disagreements surrounding a proposed law meant to grant wide military draft exemptions to its constituents. A second ultra-Orthodox party quit earlier this week over the same issue.
Arab News
a day ago
- Politics
- Arab News
A key coalition partner of Netanyahu is quitting, leaving him with minority in Israeli parliament
TEL AVIV: A key governing partner of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday it is quitting the government, leaving him with a minority in parliament. The Shas ultra-Orthodox party said it was leaving over disagreements surrounding a proposed law meant to grant wide military draft exemptions to its constituents. A second ultra-Orthodox party quit earlier this week over the same issue. Leading a minority government would make governing a challenge for Netanyahu. But Shas said it wouldn't work to undermine the coalition once outside it and could vote with it on some laws. It also wouldn't support its collapse. The political turmoil comes as Israel and Hamas are negotiating on a US-backed ceasefire proposal for Gaza. While the shakeup in Netanyahu's government won't necessarily derail the talks, the Israeli leader will be more susceptible to the demands of his far-right coalition partners, who oppose ending the 21-month war while Hamas remains intact.
The Independent
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Netanyahu's government on edge as ultra-Orthodox party quits coalition over military draft law
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's governing coalition faces significant instability after a key ultra-Orthodox party announced its withdrawal early on Tuesday. The move directly threatens to undermine the Israeli leader's authority at a critical juncture in the ongoing conflict in Gaza. United Torah Judaism's two factions confirmed their exit from the government, citing deep disagreements over a proposed bill. This legislation aims to enshrine widespread military draft exemptions into law for their constituents, whose members primarily dedicate themselves to religious study rather than military service. The issue of conscription has long been a contentious point among Jewish Israelis, the majority of whom are subject to mandatory military service. This long-standing division has been exacerbated significantly since the war in Gaza began, as the military's demand for personnel has grown increasingly acute. The departure of a party that has long served as a kingmaker in Israeli politics doesn't immediately threaten Netanyahu's rule. But, once it comes into effect within 48 hours, it will leave the Israeli leader with a slim majority in a government that could now more heavily rely on the whims of two far-right parties. Those parties oppose concessions in ceasefire negotiations with Hamas and have themselves quit or threatened to quit the government over moves to end or even pause the war in Gaza. The political shake-up comes as Israel and Hamas are discussing the terms of a truce for the 21-month war in Gaza. Despite heavy pressure by the U.S., Israel's top ally, and mediators Egypt and Qatar, there is no breakthrough yet in the talks. A recurring sticking point has been whether the war ends as part of any truce and Netanyahu's far-right parties oppose ending the war while Hamas remains intact. United Torah Judaism's departure has a window of 48 hours before becoming official, meaning Netanyahu can still find ways to satisfy the party and bring it back into the coalition. But Shuki Friedman, vice president of the Jewish People Policy Institute, said the gaps between the draft law currently on the table and the demands of the party are still wide, making a compromise unlikely during that time. Friedman said the party's departure doesn't immediately put Netanyahu's rule at risk. A vote to dissolve parliament, that would bring down the government and trigger new elections, can't be brought by the opposition until the end of the year because of procedural reasons. And a summer recess for Parliament, beginning later this month and stretching until October, gives Netanyahu another attempt to bridge the gaps and bring the party back into the coalition. Cabinet Minister Miki Zohar, from Netanyahu's Likud party, said he was hopeful the party could be coaxed back to the coalition. 'God willing, everything will be fine,' he said. A Likud spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Washington Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
Netanyahu's coalition is rattled as ultra-Orthodox party announces exit over military draft law
TEL AVIV, Israel — An Israeli ultra-Orthodox party that has been a key governing partner of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said early Tuesday it was leaving the coalition government, threatening to destabilize the Israeli leader's rule at a pivotal time in the war in Gaza. United Torah Judaism's two factions said they were bolting the government over disagreements surrounding a bill that would codify broad military draft exemptions for their constituents, many of whom study Jewish texts instead of enlist to the military. The issue has long divided Jewish Israelis, most of whom are required to enlist, a rift that has only widened since the war in Gaza began and demands on military manpower grew.
