Ultra-Orthodox parties leave Netanyahu’s coalition, but no election in sight

Israel's ultra-Orthodox Shas party announced on Wednesday that all of its ministers would resign from government over the ongoing dispute regarding Haredi military service.

The announcement followed a meeting of the party’s ruling Council of Torah Sages. In a statement from the Council, religious services minister Michael Malchieli condemned the government’s “continued terrible persecution against the holy yeshiva students” and blamed Netanyahu’s Likud party for the enlistment changes.

It comes after the resignation of United Torah Judaism (UTJ) from Netanyahu’s coalition over the same military draft dispute.

Shas’s resignation leaves Netanyahu with a minority government of just 49 out of 120 lawmakers.