Ultra-Orthodox Support Saves Netanyahu in Crucial Knesset Vote/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Prime Minister Netanyahu has survived a vote to dissolve Israel’s parliament amid tensions over military draft exemptions for ultra-Orthodox Jews. Only two Haredi lawmakers supported the bill, preserving the coalition’s fragile stability during wartime. A new draft bill is now under discussion as tensions remain high within the government and across Israel.
Netanyahu Survives Dissolution Vote – Quick Looks
- Parliament Vote: Bill to dissolve Knesset defeated early Thursday morning.
- Coalition Unity: Most ultra-Orthodox MKs sided with Netanyahu, saving his coalition.
- Trigger Issue: Dispute over military draft exemptions for ultra-Orthodox men.
- Public Sentiment: Broad Israeli frustration with Haredim’s refusal to serve during wartime.
- Key Deal: Lawmakers agreed to draft a new compromise bill to resolve the impasse.
- Six-Month Freeze: No new dissolution bills can be submitted for half a year.
- Demographics: Ultra-Orthodox Jews make up 13% of Israel’s population.
- Conscription Stats: Each year, 13,000 Haredi men reach draft age, but under 10% enlist.
- Wartime Tension: Israel is engaged in its longest active war, further straining military ranks.
- Political Fallout: Opposition hoped public pressure would fracture the coalition—but it held.
Netanyahu Avoids Collapse Amid Draft Exemption Battle – Deep Look
JERUSALEM (AP) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government survived its most severe political test in months as a motion to dissolve the Knesset failed in a crucial overnight vote on Thursday. The survival of the coalition hinges largely on the continued support of ultra-Orthodox parties, who have been locked in a heated standoff with secular Israelis over military conscription.
The bill, proposed by the opposition, was defeated with the help of nearly all of Netanyahu’s ultra-Orthodox allies, a sign that a temporary truce within the coalition may have been struck — at least for now. Only two of the 18 ultra-Orthodox members of the Knesset supported the dissolution.
The backdrop to this dramatic vote is a deepening national crisis. Since Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, attack — Israel’s worst-ever security breach — the country has been in a prolonged war with Gaza. The conflict has pushed the Israeli military to its limits, making the issue of equitable national service more pressing than ever.
Coalition Compromise on the Horizon?
The sticking point in this political standoff is the long-standing exemption granted to the Haredi, or ultra-Orthodox, community. These exemptions, traditionally provided to young men who study full-time in religious seminaries, have become a flashpoint of national frustration as Israeli society grapples with the fairness of shared military burden.
According to the Knesset’s State Control Committee, roughly 13,000 ultra-Orthodox men turn 18 each year, yet fewer than 10% enlist in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Meanwhile, thousands of reservists have served multiple tours during the ongoing war, compounding public anger.
Despite the discontent, Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Chairman Yuli Edelstein announced that he had reached a preliminary understanding with ultra-Orthodox parties regarding a new draft law. Discussions on this new proposal are set to continue in the coming days, possibly paving a path for future compromise.
No New Dissolution Bids for Six Months
The immediate political implication of Thursday’s vote is that the opposition cannot attempt to dissolve the Knesset again for six months, effectively granting Netanyahu’s coalition a window of political breathing room.
This vote marked the most serious legislative threat to Netanyahu’s power since the Gaza conflict began nearly 20 months ago. It also reflects the balancing act Netanyahu must perform — satisfying secular demands for fairness while keeping his religious coalition partners onboard.
Military Fatigue and Growing Frustration
Israel’s military, already strained by the longest war in the country’s history, is in desperate need of manpower. The inability or unwillingness of the Haredim to serve is more than just a symbolic issue — it’s a practical problem for national security.
Public sentiment reflects growing frustration. Many Israelis, including secular and modern Orthodox communities, believe that the ultra-Orthodox should shoulder the same responsibilities of national service. The opposition had hoped to leverage that frustration to force an early election, but fell short — for now.
Netanyahu Buys Time, But Challenges Remain
While Netanyahu may have dodged a bullet, the issue remains unresolved. The debate over ultra-Orthodox exemptions continues to be one of the most polarizing in Israeli society, touching on national identity, religious autonomy, and equality.
The coming weeks will test the resilience of Netanyahu’s coalition. The Prime Minister’s ability to keep both his religious allies and the broader Israeli public satisfied will determine whether Thursday’s vote was a turning point — or just a delay of an inevitable reckoning.
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