OCCUPIED JERUSALEM,(Palestine Foundation Information Center) The ultra-Orthodox Shas Party announced on Wednesday evening its withdrawal from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government over the contentious issue of drafting Haredim (ultra-Orthodox Jews), while expressing support for a prisoner exchange deal with Gaza.
According to Israel’s Channel 12, the Shas Party’s “Council of Torah Sages” decided to withdraw from the government, though not from the coalition, and resolved not to support no-confidence motions against the government, giving Netanyahu an opportunity to pass legislation exempting Haredim from military service.
Earlier, Israel’s public broadcaster reported that Shas leader Aryeh Deri had informed senior party officials that he was preparing to withdraw from the government in the coming days.
If Shas (which holds 11 seats) exits the government, it would cause the collapse of Netanyahu’s ruling coalition, in power since late December 2022.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid commented, saying: “As of today, Israel has a minority government with no authority — an illegitimate government.”
Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper predicted that the ministers of Interior, Health, Welfare, Labor, and Religious Affairs would resign following Shas’s withdrawal from Netanyahu’s government.
Ultra-Orthodox communities have continued protests against military conscription after Israel’s Supreme Court ruled on 25 June 2024 that Haredim must serve in the army and barred financial support for religious institutions whose students refuse military service.
Haredim make up approximately 13% of Israel’s population of 10 million and reject military service, claiming their lives are dedicated to Torah study. They assert that integrating into secular society threatens their religious identity and the continuity of their community.
Ultra-Orthodox parties have been pressing for legislation that would exempt Haredim from military service, a move opposed by other coalition partners and segments of the public.
