In a significant political development, Israel’s opposition parties are set to introduce a motion to dissolve Parliament, scheduled for a vote on Wednesday. This move presents a critical challenge to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition, hinting at the possibility of early elections. Although the immediate collapse of Netanyahu's government seems unlikely, the upcoming vote could severely impact his political standing.
The opposition aims to capitalize on current tensions within Netanyahu’s coalition, particularly surrounding the contentious exemption policy that allows ultra-Orthodox men studying in yeshivas to be excused from mandatory military service. Since the onset of conflict following the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, this issue has garnered heightened public attention and criticism.
Key players in Netanyahu’s coalition, specifically the ultra-Orthodox parties United Torah Judaism and Shas, have been embroiled in disputes over the exemption rules. United Torah Judaism has even suggested they might align with the opposition, refusing to support any principle that would force seminary students to join the military. Should Shas decide to follow suit, the opposition could secure a majority vote to dissolve Parliament.
Presently, Netanyahu's coalition possesses a slender majority with 68 seats out of the 120 in the Knesset, while Shas and United Torah Judaism collectively hold 18 seats, providing them substantial leverage. The opposition's support for conscripting ultra-Orthodox religious students reflects their broader goal of undermining Netanyahu’s government, which has been characterized as the most right-wing and conservative in Israel's history.
Should the motion succeed, it will transition to a parliamentary committee for an extensive review before potentially returning to the Assembly for further deliberation and votes. Political analysts predict that even a preliminary pass of the motion could exacerbate instability within Netanyahu's administration. “The entire political atmosphere would shift towards that of an election,” warned Aviv Bushinsky, a political analyst familiar with Netanyahu's strategies. Losing a vote now could signify a decline in Netanyahu's leadership capabilities and an inability to maintain coalition unity.
Additional contributions to the coverage come from Gabby Sobelman in Rehovot, Israel, while Isabel Kershner continues her extensive reporting on Israeli and Palestinian issues dating back to 1990.
