Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing coalition in Israel faces collapse due to a standoff over military conscription exemptions for ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) men. Ultra-Orthodox parties (Shas, United Torah Judaism) threaten to leave the government if new legislation isn't passed to enshrine these exemptions, which the Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional. The issue has reached a boiling point due to the ongoing war in Gaza and the IDF's need for soldiers, uniting a majority of Israelis against the exemptions. An opposition-led bill to dissolve the Knesset is set for a vote on June 11, potentially triggering early elections.
Netanyahu coalition threatened by conscription standoff with religious parties
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing coalition in Israel faces collapse due to a standoff over military conscription exemptions for ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) men. Ultra-Orthodox parties (Shas, United Torah Judaism) threaten to leave the government if new legislation isn't passed to enshrine these exemptions, which the Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional. The issue has reached a boiling point due to the ongoing war in Gaza and the IDF's need for soldiers, uniting a majority of Israelis against the exemptions. An opposition-led bill to dissolve the Knesset is set for a vote on June 11, potentially triggering early elections.
Trending- 1 October 7 (unspecified year, likely 2023): Massacre (trigger for current crisis)
- 2 March (2025): Israel’s Supreme Court rules draft exemptions unconstitutional
- 3 June 11: Bill to dissolve the Knesset set for a vote
- 4 July 27: Knesset enters months-long recess (Netanyahu aims to survive until then)
- 5 October 21, 2025: Possible election date if ultra-Orthodox parties leave
- 6 2026: Naftali Bennett's new party tentatively called 'Bennett 2026'
- Potential collapse of Netanyahu's coalition
- Possible early elections in Israel
- Deepening political instability
- Increased public anger over Haredi draft exemptions
- Former PM Naftali Bennett announcing political comeback
What: A political crisis in Israel threatening Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition due to a standoff over military conscription exemptions for ultra-Orthodox men.
When: Ongoing crisis. Supreme Court ruled in March. Bill to dissolve Knesset set for vote June 11. Election date eyed for Oct. 21, 2025, or earlier if coalition collapses. Article published June 5, 2025.
Where: Israel.
Why: Long-standing tensions over Haredi draft exemptions, exacerbated by the ongoing war in Gaza and the IDF's need for soldiers. Ultra-Orthodox parties demand legalizing exemptions, while a majority of Israelis oppose them.
How: Ultra-Orthodox parties threaten to leave the coalition. Opposition party Yesh Atid introduces a bill to dissolve the Knesset.