ISRAEL – Ultra-orthodox parties in Israel’s Knesset are withdrawing from the ruling coalition due to conflict of interests in the conscription of Haredi Jews. Agudat Yisrael is the latest to quit Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition, a day after Degel HaTorah withdrew on Monday.

Shas Party, another ultra-Orthodox party, also intends to withdraw from the government coalition on Thursday, citing the same reasons.

The withdrawal of the Shas Party, which holds 11 seats, will lead to the collapse of the Netanyahu government that has remained in power since December 2022, necessitating early elections.

Agudat Yisrael (3 seats) and Degel HaTorah (4 seats) make up the United Torah Judaism (UTJ) bloc, which holds seven of the coalition’s 68 seats in the Knesset.

Ultra-Orthodox parties have long pushed for legislation to exempt Haredi men from Israel’s compulsory military service, a stance that faces growing opposition from several factions within the government and the broader public.

Israel’s public broadcaster KAN said that the government is facing a critical deadlock over the recruitment of Haredi Jews.

The broadcaster said that the ultra-Orthodox parties presented a series of demands to the government, most significantly on the cancellation of thousands of draft orders and the funding of regional institutions.

Haredi account for about 13% of Israel’s 10 million citizens. They oppose military service on religious grounds, arguing that studying the Torah is their primary duty and that integration into secular society threatens their religious identity and community cohesion.