Netanyahu Left With Minority In Parliament As Key Ally Quits Over Military Draft Exemption Law

Last Updated:July 16, 2025, 22:09 IST

Shas, an ultra-Orthodox party that has long served as kingmaker, announced that it was leaving over disagreements surrounding a proposed law over military draft exemptions

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu

In a major political blow for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a key ally on Wednesday announced that it was quitting the coalition government.

This leaves the Netanyahu-led coalition government with a minority in parliament as Israel faces a litany of challenges. Shas, an ultra-Orthodox party that has long served as kingmaker, announced that it was leaving over disagreements surrounding a proposed law over military draft exemptions.

This is the second ultra-Orthodox governing party to do so this week after United Torah Judaism party on Tuesday (July 15) said it was quitting over Netanyahu’s failure to pass a law on the military draft exemptions.

Military service is compulsory for most Jewish Israelis, and the issue of exemptions has long divided the country. Those rifts have only widened since the start of the war in Gaza as demand for military manpower has grown and hundreds of soldiers have been killed.

WHY IS THIS SIGNIFICANT?

The political instability comes at a pivotal time for Israel, which is negotiating with Hamas on the terms for a US-backed ceasefire proposal for Gaza. The decision by Shas is not expected to derail the talks.

But with a fracturing coalition, Netanyahu will feel more pressure to appease his other allies, especially the influential far-right flank, which oppose ending the 21-month war in Gaza so long as Hamas remains intact.

IS NETANYAHU’S RULE IN DANGER?

Netanyahu’s rule, for now, does not appear threatened. Granting him a lifeline, Shas has said it will not undermine his coalition from the outside and could vote with it on some legislation.

Once the resignations by Shas come into effect, Netanyahu’s coalition will have 50 seats in the 120-seat parliament. After the resignations are put forward, there is a 48-hour window before they become official that gives the Israeli leader a chance to salvage his government.

Had the ally decided to go all out in opposing Netanyahu, it would have made governing almost impossible and put his lengthy rule at risk. The announcement also comes just before lawmakers recess for the summer, granting Netanyahu several months of little to no legislative activity to bring the parties back into the fold.

(With agency inputs)

Jerusalem, Israel

News world Netanyahu Left With Minority In Parliament As Key Ally Quits Over Military Draft Exemption Law