Israeli policemen pushing an ultra-Orthodox Jewish man demonstrating against military conscription for this community, in Bnei Brak, June 5, 2025. (Credit: Itai Ron/Reuters)
Israel's ultra-Orthodox Shas party on Monday threatened to bring down Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government by backing a motion for early elections amid a row over military service.
Netanyahu's coalition and Likud party, one of the most right-wing in Israel's 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 Hamas in Gaza.
Netanyahu is under pressure from within his Likud party to draft more ultra-Orthodox men and impose penalties on draft dodgers — a red line for Shas.
The party is demanding legislation to permanently exempt its followers from military service and has given Netanyahu two days to find a solution.
"We don't want to bring down a right-wing government, but we've reached our limit," Shas spokesperson Asher Medina told public radio.
"If there's no last-minute solution [on conscription], we'll vote to dissolve the Knesset," 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's plenary agenda, hoping to capitalize on the ultra-Orthodox revolt to topple the government.
Netanyahu's 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 ("those who fear God" in Hebrew).
Around 41 percent backed compulsory military service — currently 32 months for men — for all eligible members of the community.
