Netanyahu faces coalition turmoil as United Torah Judaism exits government

In Israel, the political landscape has become increasingly unstable following the announcement of the United Torah Judaism party's departure from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition government. The decision, made early on Tuesday, comes amidst ongoing tensions and disagreements about military draft exemptions for ultra-Orthodox constituents, a key issue for many religious families who prioritize full-time religious study over military service. With the party's exit, Netanyahu's government will be left with a slim majority of only 61 members in the Knesset, which could complicate future legislative efforts and compromises within the coalition. The United Torah Judaism party's split was precipitated by the government's failure to pass a new draft law that would enshrine broad military exemptions for yeshiva students. The ultra-Orthodox community, which has a longstanding tradition of deferring military service under certain conditions, had previously found itself divided from broader Israeli society on the issue of conscription. As demands for military personnel increase during the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the divide has deepened, leading to further political instability. The situation is further complicated by pressures from other coalition partners, including the far-right parties that may not support concessions in ceasefire negotiations with Hamas. Netanyahu had been relying on the support of both the United Torah Judaism party and the Shas party, another ultra-Orthodox faction. However, as both factions expressed dissatisfaction with the proposed draft law, the announcement of United Torah Judaism's exit has created a significant political challenge for the Prime Minister. Current reports suggest that Shas may also consider exiting the coalition, further endangering the stability of Netanyahu's leadership, particularly as he navigates critical discussions about a truce in Gaza. Despite these challenges, some experts suggest that Netanyahu's government is not immediately at risk of collapse. As the United Torah Judaism party's exit is set to become official within 48 hours, there remains a possibility for Netanyahu to secure a last-minute compromise to keep them engaged in the coalition. Legislative procedural constraints, such as the opposition's inability to dissolve the Knesset until the end of the year, provide Netanyahu with some breathing room to address the issues at hand and potentially avoid immediate elections.