Israeli Parliament Averts Collapse in Ultra-Orthodox Conscription Clash
Israel’s parliament rejected a motion to dissolve itself early Thursday, temporarily stabilizing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition after weeks of internal conflict over a proposed conscription law. The measure, brought by opposition parties hoping to trigger early elections, failed by a vote of 61 to 53, with two coalition members breaking ranks in support.
The push for dissolution centered on a long-running national controversy: whether ultra-Orthodox Jewish men studying in religious seminaries should continue to be exempt from mandatory military service. The debate has intensified since the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led assault on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza, which has seen the Israeli military stretched thin and public frustration grow.
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Seeking to prevent a government collapse, Netanyahu reached a last-minute agreement with his ultra-Orthodox coalition partners. Yuli Edelstein, chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, announced, “We have reached agreements on the principles which will form the basis for the draft law.” The deal includes sanctions like travel bans and revoked driving licenses for those avoiding service, though financial penalties would only apply after a year if recruitment targets aren’t met.
The proposal’s failure means that the opposition now must wait six months before attempting again to dissolve the parliament. Had it passed, final approval of the bill would have required several additional votes.
The next elections are set to take place no later than October 27, 2026. Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, has weathered many crises, but polls suggest he would lose if elections were held today.
