Key facts
- Benjamin Netanyahu's governing alliance faces strain due to disputes over military conscription for ultra-Orthodox Jewish men.
- Ultra-Orthodox parties, historically key allies, are questioning their partnership with Netanyahu.
- The issue has intensified since the war in Gaza, with calls to end exemptions from military service.
- Netanyahu's coalition has failed to pass legislation on ultra-Orthodox enlistment, leading to protests and resignations.
- Spiritual leaders within the ultra-Orthodox community have expressed a loss of trust in Netanyahu.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decades-long political strategy, heavily reliant on ultra-Orthodox parties, is facing significant strain ahead of a crucial election. The core issue is the long-standing dispute over military conscription for ultra-Orthodox Jewish men, a matter that has intensified since the war in Gaza began.
Historically, ultra-Orthodox men have been exempt from compulsory military service to focus on religious studies. However, the ongoing conflict has amplified calls to end this exemption, creating deep divisions within Netanyahu's right-wing bloc and among his ultra-Orthodox allies, United Torah Judaism (UTJ) and Shas.
These divisions have led to internal party resignations and public questioning of the alliance. Rabbi Dov Lando, a key spiritual leader of UTJ, has publicly stated a loss of trust in Netanyahu. Some analysts suggest that opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief, could potentially attract ultra-Orthodox support due to his perceived neutrality on the issue.
The conscription debate also reflects deeper ideological rifts, with some ultra-Orthodox leaders expressing views that distance themselves from the state's military ethos and current conflicts, such as Rabbi Lando's strong criticism of the Religious Zionist movement. This fracturing alliance raises questions about the future coalition strategies for both Netanyahu and opposition parties.