As the mandatory military service crisis continues within the Israeli government, the opposition’s attempt to overthrow the Netanyahu administration has failed. A bill to dissolve the Knesset did not secure the necessary majority after the ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) coalition partners withdrew their support.

According to The Times of Israel, the opposition’s motion to dissolve the parliament was rejected in a preliminary vote yesterday, with 53 in favor and 61 against.

Shortly before the preliminary vote, the Shas party and Degel HaTorah, one of the two main parties forming United Torah Judaism, announced they had reached an agreement with the government to exempt Haredi students from military service and would vote against dissolving the Knesset.

The bill, which could have passed with the support of the Haredi coalition members, failed to reach a sufficient majority when the Shas and Degel HaTorah parties withdrew their support at the last minute. Netanyahu’s ruling coalition is represented by 68 members in the 120-seat Knesset. Dissolving the parliament requires a majority, meaning the approval of at least 61 members.

Netanyahu’s effort to keep the government afloat succeeds

At Netanyahu’s direction, Yuli Edelstein, Chairman of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, held lengthy meetings with representatives of the ultra-Orthodox coalition parties before the preliminary vote to prevent the government’s collapse.

In a written statement, Edelstein announced that they had reached an agreement with the ultra-Orthodox coalition partners on the basic principles of a legal regulation regarding the military service exemption for those studying in Torah schools.

The ultra-Orthodox coalition partners, United Torah Judaism and Shas, had frequently threatened to bring down the government due to the lack of legislation exempting Torah school students from military service.

Some Ultra-Orthodox members may leave the government

While Prime Minister Netanyahu’s coalition government achieved its desired outcome in the vote to dissolve the Knesset, the unresolved crisis over Haredi military exemption still poses a risk to the government.

A source within United Torah Judaism told Haaretz that if Degel HaTorah and Shas voted against the dissolution bill, the Agudat Israel members under the United Torah Judaism umbrella would leave the government.

Indeed, according to Ynet News, Member of Knesset Meir Porush from Agudat Israel and another MK supported the opposition’s motion in the vote, citing the absence of a concrete military service bill. In contrast, MK Yisrael Eichler broke with his party and voted with Shas.

The potential withdrawal of Agudat Israel would not topple the government, but it would leave Netanyahu with a fragile majority of 64 members in the 120-seat Knesset.

The Haredi conscription debate

According to Israeli law, everyone over the age of 18 must perform mandatory military service, but the exemption of Haredim has been a contentious issue in the country for years.

Israel’s need for soldiers has increased due to its escalating aggression in the region since October 7, 2023, particularly in the Gaza Strip.

With the resumption of attacks after the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip was broken, this need has become critical again. The army reportedly requires 12,000 more soldiers, with 7,000 needed for combat zones.

Last year, the increased need for soldiers made the recruitment of previously exempt ultra-Orthodox Jewish youth into the army one of Israel’s most debated topics.

On June 25, 2024, the Israeli Supreme Court ruled that there was no legal basis for exempting Haredi men from mandatory military service and that those eligible must be drafted.

The Haredim, who make up approximately 13% of the population, oppose compulsory military service, stating that they dedicate their lives to Torah studies. Netanyahu’s Haredi coalition partners are pressuring the Prime Minister to pass a law that would exempt them from military service.

As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition faces a crisis over military service exemptions, the opposition has moved to dissolve the Israeli Knesset. Party leaders announced they will bring a bill to dissolve the parliament to a vote today, aiming to pave the way for early elections.

In a joint statement released after a meeting in the Knesset, opposition parties declared their intention to introduce the dissolution bill during today’s session. “The decision was made unanimously and is binding on all opposition factions. It was also decided, in coordination with all opposition groups, to withdraw other legislative proposals from the agenda and focus all our efforts on overthrowing the government,” the statement read.

Government expected to stall

In response to the opposition’s move, the government is expected to try and delay the vote by filling the agenda with its own legislative proposals, effectively slowing down the process. For the bill to become law, it must pass a preliminary vote today, followed by three more rounds of voting in the plenary session.

The right-wing coalition, led by Prime Minister Netanyahu, holds 68 seats in the 120-seat Knesset. The support of the ultra-Orthodox parties, Shas and United Torah Judaism, is crucial for the opposition’s dissolution proposal to advance.

Both parties have publicly stated they will vote “yes” on the dissolution bill because the government failed to pass legislation that would grant military service exemptions to yeshiva students. However, behind the scenes, it is reported that the Shas party, in particular, is working intensively to postpone the vote and prevent the government’s collapse.

Netanyahu leaves corruption trial early

Amid these developments, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s cross-examination in his ongoing corruption trial in Tel Aviv ended unexpectedly early. It was announced that Netanyahu left the hearing about an hour after his testimony began, stating that he was not feeling well.

Netanyahu is expected to engage in intensive diplomatic efforts throughout the day to de-escalate the crises. The potential loss of support from the ultra-Orthodox parties stands out as the most significant threat that could lead to early elections.

Possibility of early elections

If the dissolution bill passes today’s preliminary vote, it must still go through three more votes in the Knesset to become law. However, if the ultra-Orthodox parties do not withdraw their support from the government, the opposition’s push for an early election may fail for now. All eyes are on the stance of Shas and United Torah Judaism in the vote, as well as the political moves Netanyahu will make during the day.

The Israeli navy targeted the Houthi-controlled Hodeidah Port in Yemen early this morning, marking the first naval assault by warships against the group since October 7.

A statement from the Israeli military indicated that the strike was a response to repeated missile and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attacks launched by the Houthis against Israeli territory. The statement alleged that Hodeidah Port is a “center for weapons transfers” and argued that the attack’s goal was to prevent the port’s use for military purposes.

Recalling that the port was also targeted by Israel last year, the announcement added, “The port continues to be used for terrorist purposes.” It was specified that the attack aimed to deepen the destruction at Hodeidah Port.

Following the naval assault, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant declared, “Israel’s long arm in the air and at sea will reach everywhere. We have warned the Houthis that if they continue to attack Israel, we will respond forcefully and place them under a sea and air blockade.”

Nasreddin Amir, a senior Houthi official, confirmed the attack in a post on X, stating that Israeli naval units had targeted the port in Hodeidah with two missiles.

The Houthis in Yemen have periodically targeted Israel with ballistic missiles since it resumed intense attacks on the Gaza Strip, breaking a ceasefire agreement. The group launched another missile toward Israel yesterday; however, it fell before reaching its target, and no sirens were activated. The last time sirens were triggered was last Thursday.

After October 7, the Houthis were also subjected to joint attacks by the US and the United Kingdom. However, US President Joe Biden, after taking office, first increased the intensity of attacks against the Houthis and then declared a ceasefire without informing Israel.