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JERUSALEM – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has lost his parliamentary majority, plunging his government into uncertainty after the Shas party quit his ruling coalition. The defection comes amidst growing tensions over military draft exemptions for ultra-Orthodox Jews.
Shas's withdrawal follows an earlier walkout this week by United Torah Judaism, leaving Netanyahu's coalition 11 seats short of the 61 needed to maintain a majority in the Knesset. Both parties cited the contentious issue of military conscription for ultra-Orthodox individuals as the reason for their departure.
Despite the significant loss of support, Shas has stated it will not immediately move to collapse the government. This development unfolds as Israel engages in increasingly heated ceasefire talks with Hamas, while Netanyahu's remaining far-right allies continue to demand the continuation of the ongoing conflict.
The political turmoil highlights the deep divisions within Israeli society, particularly regarding the role of ultra-Orthodox Jews in military service, and adds further complexity to the nation's efforts to navigate both domestic challenges and regional conflicts. The future stability of Netanyahu's government remains precarious as he faces pressure from both within and outside his fractured coalition.
