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PoliticsIsrael

Ultra-Orthodox parties quit Israeli gov't over conscription

02:23

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Nicholas Welsh
July 24, 2025

A second party in Israel representing ultra-Orthodox Jews has now withdrawn from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Cabinet amid tensions over the country's conscription laws. The two parties want an exemption for students studying the Torah to remain in place, despite a Supreme Court ruling making them eligible to be drafted.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition government is under pressure after two ultra-Orthodox parties withdrew from his cabinet, leaving him with only a one-seat majority in parliament. The crisis centers on the contentious issue of military conscription for ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) Jews, who have historically been exempt if they study religious texts full-time. A 2024 Supreme Court ruling ended these exemptions, sparking protests.

With the ongoing war in Gaza, public support for equal conscription has grown, increasing pressure on Netanyahu. While the ultra-Orthodox parties' departure has been welcomed by some in their community, it leaves the government fragile. As parliament enters a three-month recess, Netanyahu has limited time to find a compromise on this divisive issue.

(This video summary was created using AI. A journalist edited it before publication.)

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