Ultra-Orthodox party announces exit over military draft law

Tel Aviv: An Israeli ultra-Orthodox party that has been a key governing partner of Prime Minister

Benjamin Netanyahu said early Tuesday it was leaving the coalition government, threatening to destabilise the Israeli leader’s rule at a pivotal time in the war in Gaza.

United Torah Judaism’s two factions said they were bolting the government over disagreements

surrounding a bill that would codify broad military draft exemptions for their constituents, many of whom study Jewish texts instead of enlisting in the military.

The issue has long divided Jewish Israelis, most of whom are required to enlist, a rift that has only widened since the war in Gaza began and demands on military manpower grew.

The departure of a party that has long served as a kingmaker in Israeli politics doesn’t immediately threaten Netanyahu’s rule.

But, once it comes into effect within 48 hours, it will leave the Israeli leader with a slim majority in a government that could now more heavily rely on the whims of two far-right parties.

Those parties oppose concessions in ceasefire negotiations with Hamas and have themselves quit or threatened to quit the government over moves to end or even pause the war in Gaza.

The political shake-up comes as Israel and Hamas are discussing the terms of a truce for the 21-month war in Gaza. Despite heavy pressure from the US, Israel’s top ally, and mediators Egypt and Qatar, there is no breakthrough yet in the talks.

A recurring sticking point has been whether the war ends as part of any truce, and Netanyahu’s far-right parties oppose ending the war while Hamas remains intact.

United Torah Judaism’s departure has a window of 48 hours before becoming official, meaning Netanyahu can still find ways to satisfy the party and bring it back into the coalition.