Current sectionIsrael NewsIsrael Political NewsAnalysis While Smotrich abandons his base and Netanyahu caters to the ultra-Orthodox at the expense of serving Israelis, the prime minister remains confident that Religious Zionist voters will not switch sidesShare to FacebookShare to XArticle printing is available to subscribers onlyPrint in a simple, ad-free formatSubscribeComments: Zen reading is available to subscribers onlyAd-free and in a comfortable reading formatSubscribeRavit Hecht06:03 AM • July 15 2026 IDTThe ruling coalition responsible for the October 7 massacre on Tuesday approved a law that shields ultra-Orthodox draft evaders and treats the blood of one Israeli citizen as cheaper than another's, while spitting in the face of the very people who served and saved the country - and its leader - in the aftermath of that dreadful day.Loading...Click the alert icon to follow topics:ZionismIsrael settlementsUltra-OrthodoxIDFKnessetIsraeli politicsBenjamin NetanyahuBezalel SmotrichOctober 7Israel KatzCommentsLoading...In the NewsIn the News: Israel NewsIranMahmoud AhmadinejadLindsey GrahamPollKnesset Israel ElectionsHaQuizHaaretz PodcastNetanyahu Banking on Disappointed Religious Zionist Voters Sticking With HimTrump Threatens to Attack Iranian Power Plants, BridgesShaped by Wars, Israel's First-time Voters Are More Racist, Less DemocraticMahmoud Khalil Sues Trump Officials and Pro-Israel GroupsIsraeli City Uses Public Funds for Gender Segregation on Main StreetsRemembering and rebuilding two years laterICYMIInside the Mossad Plot to Install Ahmadinejad as Iran's LeaderThe Original Tradwives of Ancient RomeEgypt Lost the World Cup. But Was the Referee Really Jewish?Made in Kurdistan, Smuggled via Jordan: The Mysterious Firearms Flooding IsraelRo Khanna, U.S. Lawmaker & Israel Critic, Says West Bank Settlers 'Detained' HimEisenkot Is Quietly Gaining Ground in Likud Territory. Enough to Beat Netanyahu?