https://arab.news/2d972
JERUSALEM: Israel鈥檚 ultra-Orthodox Shas party on Monday threatened to bring down Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu鈥檚 government by backing a motion for early elections amid a row over military service.
Netanyahu鈥檚 coalition, one of the most right-wing in Israel鈥檚 history, is at risk of collapsing over a bill that could reverse the long-standing exemption from the draft for ultra-Orthodox Jews.
The exemption is facing growing pushback as Israel wages war on Palestinian Islamist militants Hamas in Gaza.
Netanyahu is under pressure from within his Likud party to draft more ultra-Orthodox men and impose penalties on draft dodgers 鈥� a red line for Shas.
The party is demanding legislation to permanently exempt its followers from military service and gave Netanyahu two days to find a solution.
鈥淲e don鈥檛 want to bring down a right-wing government, but we鈥檝e reached our limit,鈥� Shas spokesperson Asher Medina told public radio.
鈥淚f there鈥檚 no last-minute solution (on conscription), we鈥檒l vote to dissolve the Knesset,鈥� he said, referring to the Israeli parliament.
Last week, a Shas source told AFP the party was threatening to quit the coalition unless a solution was reached by Monday.
The opposition is seeking to place a bill to dissolve parliament on Wednesday鈥檚 plenary agenda, hoping to capitalize on the ultra-Orthodox revolt to topple the government.
Netanyahu鈥檚 coalition, formed in December 2022, includes Likud, far-right factions and ultra-Orthodox parties. A walkout by the latter would end its majority.
A poll published in March by right-wing daily Israel Hayom found 85 percent of Israeli Jews support changing the conscription law for Haredim.
Forty-one percent backed compulsory military service 鈥� currently 32 months for men 鈥� for all eligible members of the community.