Netanyahu Faces Pressure as Coalition Crumbles Over Military Service Dispute

TEL AVIV, Israel – A member of Israel’s right-wing coalition threatened to quit the cabinet on Wednesday, as tensions rose over a proposed opposition motion to dissolve parliament. This comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces discontent among voters regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which began after an attack by Hamas militants in October 2023.

United Torah Judaism, a key ultra-Orthodox party in Netanyahu’s coalition, announced it would withdraw its support unless the government finalizes exemptions from military service for ultra-Orthodox men. Meanwhile, the opposition party Yesh Atid, led by former prime minister Yair Lapid, plans to introduce a parliamentary vote next week aimed at toppling Netanyahu’s government. Lapid stated, “This Knesset (parliament) is finished. It has nowhere to go.”

Despite growing pressure, Netanyahu has remained silent on the crisis. A spokesperson for United Torah Judaism leader Yitzhak Goldknopf confirmed that the party would vote in favor of dissolving parliament unless exemption legislation is approved. There is a week left for negotiations as tensions within the coalition continue to mount.

Netanyahu’s coalition, which includes secular right-wing and ultra-Orthodox parties, holds a slim eight-seat majority in the parliament. The coalition’s internal conflict revolves around whether ultra-Orthodox students in religious seminaries should be exempt from mandatory military service. The issue has caused unrest among coalition lawmakers and threatens to fragment the government.

Coalition member Ohad Tal criticized Goldknopf for the threat of early elections and called for other lawmakers to engage in negotiations. He stated that the long-standing blanket exemption from military service is no longer tenable.

Political analysts suggest that ultra-Orthodox lawmakers may ultimately choose to leave the coalition rather than trigger elections that could lead to their defeat. Historically, few Israeli governments serve a full term, and Netanyahu currently does not face elections until 2026.

Netanyahu has faced criticism for failing to prevent the October Hamas attack, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths. As calls grow from families of hostages held in Gaza for the government to bring an end to the conflict, some coalition members insist the war needs to continue until Hamas is eradicated.

The situation remains fluid, with lawmakers set to vote on the dissolution bill soon, which if successful, could lead to early elections and further political instability.