Israel's government is expected to collapse over ultra-Orthodox military draft

"“We have no trust in Netanyahu anymore,” Degel HaTorah, an ultra-Orthodox Jewish faction in Netanyahu's coalition, said in a public statement. “We must move to dissolve the parliament imminently.”"

"Israeli media are widely reporting that new national elections may be called for early September. The political crisis comes after Netanyahu told ultra-Orthodox political leaders that he would not advance legislation to exempt ultra-Orthodox Jewish Israelis from military service, and suggested to advance such legislation after elections, according to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz."

"Most Jewish Israelis are called up to serve in the military. Israel has historically exempted young men and women from the devout ultra-Orthodox community to allow them to attend religious studies. The Gaza war and the need for more soldiers has placed more political pressure on the community to take part in military service."

"Last year, Israel's Supreme Court ordered the government to draft ultra-Orthodox Israelis. Ever since, Netanyahu's ultra-Orthodox political partners have urged him to pass a new law shielding their community from the draft. A vote to dissolve the parliament has been called for next week."

Degel HaTorah, an ultra-Orthodox faction in Netanyahu’s coalition, said there is no trust in Netanyahu and called for parliament to be dissolved imminently. Israeli media report that early September national elections may be called after the coalition faces collapse next week. The crisis follows Netanyahu’s statement to ultra-Orthodox political leaders that he would not advance legislation exempting ultra-Orthodox Israelis from military service, suggesting action after elections. Exemptions have historically allowed devout ultra-Orthodox students to focus on religious studies, but the Gaza war and demand for more soldiers increased pressure for military participation. Israel’s Supreme Court ordered drafting ultra-Orthodox Israelis last year, prompting coalition partners to urge a new law shielding their community. A center-right alliance seeks to dissolve parliament, which would trigger elections within three months, with a legal deadline of Oct. 27. Naftali Bennett is a front-runner in polls, running with Yair Lapid, while Netanyahu would serve as acting prime minister until a new government forms.

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