Ultra-Orthodox conscription dispute pushes Israeli government to brink

Israel’s government has submitted a request for early elections following a breakdown in support from ultra-Orthodox coalition partners over military conscription. The move comes after Shas and United Torah Judaism (UTJ) demanded exemptions for their constituents from mandatory military service, a long-standing exemption ruled illegal by Israel’s Supreme Court in 2024. If approved by the Knesset next week, elections would be held by late August, two months ahead of the government’s October 2026 term end. The crisis escalated in July 2025 when UTJ’s Degel Hatorah faction, led by Rabbi Dov Lando, withdrew support, declaring the government no longer aligned with ultra-Orthodox interests. Lando stated the party would now prioritize ‘Haredi Judaism’ and push for the Knesset’s dissolution. Despite continued Knesset backing on key votes, the faction’s stance has triggered the coalition’s collapse. Ultra-Orthodox men have been exempt from military service since 1948, though the Supreme Court repeatedly struck down deferral measures. In 2024, the court ordered active conscription, prompting the military to issue 24,000 draft notices. Only 1,200 ultra-Orthodox men have complied, highlighting deep resistance to the ruling. The dispute reflects broader tensions between secular military obligations and ultra-Orthodox religious priorities. Former Prime Ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid have already announced plans to challenge Netanyahu in the upcoming elections, adding political pressure to the conscription debate. The early vote would reshape Israel’s political landscape, with conscription likely remaining a central campaign issue. Protests by ultra-Orthodox groups have intensified, further complicating the government’s final days.