US EditionA key coalition partner of Netanyahu is quitting, leaving him with minority in Israeli parliament
ISRAEL, JUL 17 – Shas party's exit follows United Torah Judaism's departure over military draft exemptions, reducing Netanyahu's coalition to 50 seats in the 120-seat parliament, officials said.
- On July 20, 2025, the ultra-Orthodox party Shas announced it was quitting Prime Minister Netanyahu's coalition, leaving it a parliamentary minority.
- Shas left the coalition due to disputes over legislation intended to secure extensive military service exemptions for its community amid ongoing conscription disagreements.
- The departure followed United Torah Judaism's quit earlier this week over the failure to pass a law restoring draft exemptions eliminated by a recent High Court ruling.
- Shas minister Michael Malchieli said drafting ultra-Orthodox men amounted to "persecution," and opposition leader Yair Lapid called the government "illegitimate" and demanded elections.
- Netanyahu's coalition will hold 50 of 120 seats after resignations become official, leaving a fragile minority during ongoing negotiations for a U.S.-backed Gaza ceasefire.
159 Articles
159 Articles
In three days, the government of Benyamin Netanyahu lost the support of two opposing parties at the end of the military service exemption for ultra-Orthodox young students.
The second ultra-orthodox party is also withdrawing from the Israeli government in the dispute over military service for strictly believing Jews – but it is still giving the prime minister a small chance.
The Netanyahu government received one of its toughest blows: the ultra-orthodox United Torah Judah party announced that it is leaving the coalition. Although it does not mean its immediate fall, it does mark a key fracture that can trigger the collapse of its mandate in the coming months. The reason? The rejection of a bill that seeks to put an end to historic exemptions from military service for religious students, just as the country is still …
Shas Ministers Resign from Netanyahu Government Following Torah Council Decision
The ministers of Shas began to submit their letters of resignation from the government to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Thursday morning in accordance with the decision of the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah of Shas on Wednesday. The first to resign were Religious Services Minister Michael Malkieli and Welfare Minister Ya’akov Margi. Shortly later, the other Shas ministers submitted their resignation letters, including Interior Minister Moshe Ar…
Members of the Israeli government from the ultra-Orthodox Shass party announced their resignation to protest the failure of the ruling coalition to pass a law exempting students from Talmudic institutions from military service. A mainly symbolic departure, on the order of the Rabbinical Council that runs the party, which further weakens the coalition. The Shass party accuses Benyamin Netanyahu for failing to keep his promises.
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