Military exemptions are only one part of the ultra-Orthodox political project. The real goal is to preserve privileges, expand religious control over public life and make everyone else bear the burdenNehemia Shtrasler12:14 AM • June 30 2026 IDTWhen two con artists sit down and make a political deal with each other, it's hard to know what the real goal is. And if we're talking about two arch-con men like Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Shas Chairman Arye Dery, it's not even worth trying.Loading...Click the alert icon to follow topics:Israeli politicsBenjamin NetanyahuUltra-OrthodoxHaredim ShasCommentsLoading...In the NewsIn the News: Live UpdatesIsrael-Lebanon DealIran AttackIsrael CrimeWest BankHezbollahHaQuizHaaretz PodcastPoll: Eisenkot Momentum Grows After Seat Gain, Opposition Holds AdvantageFather of Slain IDF Soldier Says Smotrich to Blame for Hostage DeathsHaaretz CartoonLikud Minister Backs Eisenkot as PM Over Gov't 'Leaning on Arabs'Defense Minister: Israel Has No Claims Over Lebanon, but Won't Withdraw an InchRemembering and rebuilding two years laterICYMIAdvanced Israeli Systems Sold to Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Documents and Images ShowAs the World Watched Gaza, Israeli Settlers Charged Ahead in the West Bank. A Clash Is ImminentIsrael 2026 Election Poll Tracker: The Latest ProjectionsA Collapsing Society: Israel Suffers National Mental Crisis Due to the WarFlagGate: How Israel Set Off a Storm by Hosting a Separatist Genocide DenierWhy Israelis Should Stop Being Afraid of Mamdani-backed Brad Lander