Tel Aviv, July 15: Israeli ultra-Orthodox party, United Torah Judaism, is leaving the coalition government, threatening to destabilize Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s rule during the war in Gaza. The two factions of the party are arguing over a bill that would codify broad military draft exemptions for their constituents, many of whom study Jewish texts instead of enlisting in the military. This issue has long divided Jewish Israelis, most of whom are required to enlist, and has only widened since the war in Gaza began and demands on military manpower grew.
The departure of a party that has long served as a kingmaker in Israeli politics doesn’t immediately threaten Netanyahu’s rule, but once it comes into effect within 48 hours, it will leave the Israeli leader with a slim majority in a government that could now more heavily rely on the whims of two far-right parties. These parties oppose concessions in ceasefire negotiations with Hamas and have themselves quit or threatened to quit the government over moves to end or even pause the war in Gaza.
The political shake-up comes as Israel and Hamas are discussing the terms of a truce for the 21-month war in Gaza. Despite heavy pressure from the US, Israel’s top ally, and mediators Egypt and Qatar, there is no breakthrough yet in the talks. A recurring sticking point has been whether the war ends as part of any truce, and Netanyahu’s far-right parties oppose ending the war while Hamas remains intact. (AP)
