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.

Both UTJ and Shas rejected a proposed enlistment bill by Yuli Edelstein, Knesset foreign affairs and defense committee chairman, arguing it broke a prior compromise and failed to provide full amnesty for students who had ignored draft orders, while also imposing biometric check-ins at yeshiva schools.

They joined Yitzhak Goldknopf, who resigned weeks ago as housing minister over the lack of a draft exemption law, and Knesset lawmaker Yisrael Eichler, who left the welfare committee chairmanship in anticipation of a ministerial appointment.

Unlike UTJ, Shas is not joining the opposition. However, its members will resign from all their government posts — including the ministers of health, interior, labour, welfare, and religious services, as well as the deputy agriculture minister. The Shas lawmakers will retain their committee chairmanships in the Knesset.