What's happened
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government is in turmoil as ultra-Orthodox coalition partners threaten to dissolve Parliament over a proposed military draft for their community. The ongoing war in Gaza has intensified public scrutiny of military exemptions, leading to a critical vote that could reshape Israel's political landscape.
What's behind the headline?
Political Landscape
- Netanyahu's coalition, the most right-wing in Israel's history, relies heavily on ultra-Orthodox parties for support.
- The proposed draft has created a rift, with parties like Shas and United Torah Judaism threatening to withdraw their support.
Public Sentiment
- The war in Gaza has heightened public frustration over military exemptions, with many Israelis feeling that ultra-Orthodox men should share the burden of military service.
- Polls indicate a significant portion of the population supports drafting ultra-Orthodox men, viewing it as a matter of national duty.
Future Implications
- If the coalition collapses, it could lead to new elections, potentially reshaping Israel's political landscape.
- Netanyahu's ability to negotiate a last-minute deal may determine his political survival, but the growing discontent among the public and within his coalition poses a significant challenge.
What the papers say
According to The Independent, the ultra-Orthodox community's exemption from military service has long been a contentious issue, especially during the ongoing war in Gaza. Tia Goldenberg notes that Netanyahu's coalition partners are adamant about preserving this exemption, which has led to threats of dissolving the Knesset if their demands are not met. Meanwhile, the New York Times highlights that the opposition is seizing this opportunity to challenge Netanyahu's government, indicating that the political landscape is shifting. The NY Post emphasizes that this is the most serious challenge to Netanyahu's power yet, as public sentiment increasingly favors the drafting of ultra-Orthodox men. Bloomberg reports that the coalition's internal disputes could lead to significant political consequences, with the potential for new elections looming on the horizon.
How we got here
The ultra-Orthodox community has historically been exempt from military service in Israel, a policy dating back to the country's founding. Recent legal rulings and the ongoing war in Gaza have reignited tensions over this exemption, prompting Netanyahu's coalition partners to demand its preservation.
Go deeper
- What are the implications of the military draft?
- How has public opinion shifted regarding the ultra-Orthodox?
- What could happen if the coalition collapses?
Common question
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What is the current status of Netanyahu's government amid the coalition crisis?
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government is facing a significant crisis as ultra-Orthodox parties threaten to dissolve Parliament over military draft exemptions. This situation has sparked intense public debate and scrutiny, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Here are some common questions surrounding this political upheaval.
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What are the latest developments in Israel's military exemption laws?
The political landscape in Israel is shifting dramatically as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a coalition crisis over military exemption laws for the ultra-Orthodox community. With the ongoing war in Gaza intensifying scrutiny on these exemptions, many are left wondering how this will impact military enlistment and the future of Israeli politics.
More on these topics
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Benjamin Netanyahu is an Israeli politician serving as Prime Minister of Israel since 2009, and previously from 1996 to 1999. Netanyahu is also the Chairman of the Likud – National Liberal Movement.
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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United Torah Judaism, often referred to by its electoral symbol Gimel, is a religious conservative political alliance in Israel.
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Shas is a Haredi religious political party in Israel. Founded in 1984 under the leadership of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, a former Israeli Sephardi chief rabbi, who remained its spiritual leader until his death in October 2013, it primarily represents the interes
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The Knesset is the unicameral national legislature of Israel. As the legislative branch of the Israeli government, the Knesset passes all laws, elects the President and Prime Minister, approves the cabinet, and supervises the work of the government.