Knesset rejects dissolution bill amid ongoing coalition crisis

In Israel, the political landscape has been increasingly tumultuous as tensions rise between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ruling coalition and opposition parties. The coalition faced significant pressure, particularly from ultra-Orthodox factions, after failing to pass legislation that would exempt yeshiva students from mandatory military service. The crisis escalated with the announcement from Shas party that they intended to back efforts to dissolve the Knesset, potentially leading to new elections. Opposition leaders have unified to challenge the government, attributing its continued rule to Netanyahu's strategies relating to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which they argue serve to distract from domestic issues. Ultimately, a crucial vote on the dissolution of the Knesset took place recently, in which the bill was rejected by a result of 61 to 53, following a last-minute deal between Likud and ultra-Orthodox lawmakers, enabling the coalition to survive. This event underscores the precarious nature of the government as it navigates through internal conflicts and external pressures, particularly in the context of military operations in Gaza, which have drawn both national and international scrutiny.