Israel’s governing coalition faced fresh political turbulence Tuesday after the ultra-Orthodox Degel HaTorah party threatened to bring down Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government over delays to a controversial military conscription bill, raising the prospect of early elections ahead of the Knesset’s scheduled term end in October.
Degel HaTorah and Agudat Yisrael form the ultra-Orthodox alliance United Torah Judaism, a partner in Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition government. The alliance holds seven seats in the 120-member Knesset and is seeking support from the ultra-Orthodox Shas party, which has 11 seats.
Even if the alliance withdraws, the government would still retain 68 seats, meaning its departure would not necessarily collapse the coalition.
It is not the first time the party has threatened to bring down the government because of the issue. It withdrew from the coalition last July and has since boycotted votes on several government-backed bills.
The ultra-Orthodox parties have been pressuring Netanyahu to pass legislation granting Haredi Jews exemptions from mandatory military service, but the proposal has faced opposition from within the coalition and the opposition, complicating efforts to pass it.
