Ultra-Orthodox party quits Israeli government over conscription bill

Israel's ultra-Orthodox Degel HaTorah Party withdrew on Monday from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's governing coalition amid escalating tensions over a military draft law.

The withdrawal followed a “rare and dramatic” letter from Rabbi Dov Lando, the spiritual leader of the party, in which he demanded an immediate end to Degel HaTorah's participation in the coalition.

Lando criticized Netanyahu's Likud Party for reneging on prior commitments to pass legislation exempting ultra-Orthodox Jews, or Haredi, from mandatory military service.

“Since government authorities are revealing their intention to intensify restrictions on Torah students' lives, and time after time fail to fulfill their commitments, my opinion is that participation with the government and coalition should be immediately terminated,” Lando wrote.

Degel HaTorah holds four seats in the 120-seat Knesset and is part of the United Torah Judaism alliance with the Agudat Yisrael Party, which has three seats. The United Torah Judaism is a key member of Netanyahu's right-wing coalition.

While the withdrawal does not immediately topple the government as Netanyahu's coalition still holds 68 seats, it adds pressure on the fragile alliance.

A further withdrawal by the Shas Party, which holds 11 seats, could collapse the ruling coalition, in power since December 2022.

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.