Israel's Supreme Court Decision on Ultra-Orthodox Military Service Sparks Coalition Crisis

The ruling suspending state subsidies for ultra-Orthodox Jews not serving in the military challenges Prime Minister Netanyahu's government stability.

Israel's Supreme Court ordered the suspension of state subsidies for ultra-Orthodox Jews studying in yeshivas instead of doing military service, creating a potential coalition crisis for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The court's decision comes amid a backdrop of increasing tension over the role of the ultra-Orthodox community in Israeli society and its contributions to national defense.
Ultra-Orthodox leaders see the ruling as a betrayal, threatening to pull out of the coalition, which could lead to elections at a time when Netanyahu is unpopular.
The ruling highlights a central tension in modern Israel, as the majority of Israeli Jews support an end to blanket military exemptions for the ultra-Orthodox.
Analysts suggest the government may seek a temporary solution to postpone the issue, while public sentiment and recent surveys show a growing frustration with the current exemption system.