Overview

• The Shas and United Torah Judaism parties resigned this week after Knesset lawmakers failed to guarantee continued draft exemptions for ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students
• Their exits reduced the coalition to 50 of 120 seats, depriving it of a majority and bringing parliamentary business to a standstill
• Israel’s Supreme Court ruled earlier this month that the longstanding conscription carve-out violates equality under the law and ordered a legislative overhaul
• Netanyahu’s office insists he will remain in power and plans to use the July recess, which begins on July 27, to reopen talks with his former ultra-Orthodox partners
• Facing pressure from far-right allies who oppose ending the Gaza war and the prospect of early 2026 elections, the prime minister confronts deepening political fragmentation