Netanyahu’s government survives no-confidence vote as Haredi crisis is delayed

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.