Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his coalition have faced their most significant challenge to power since the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks, but they have managed to secure their position by blocking an attempt to dissolve the Knesset. The failed dissolution bill marked a crucial moment in Israeli politics, as the country continues to grapple with the effects of the prolonged conflict in Gaza and the domestic tensions surrounding military conscription.
The proposed dissolution of the Knesset, which would have triggered early elections, was a direct challenge to Netanyahu’s leadership. However, the bill’s failure has provided his coalition with a six-month reprieve from further dissolution efforts, a legal safeguard that could be critical in maintaining political stability. This outcome was made possible through a compromise reached between ultra-Orthodox lawmakers and MK Yuli Edelstein, who heads the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. Edelstein, a long-standing opponent of granting permanent military exemptions to the Haredi community, agreed to the temporary resolution as a way to avert an immediate political crisis.
The issue of military exemptions has been a contentious one in Israeli society for decades, but it has grown increasingly divisive in recent years. The ultra-Orthodox community, which makes up about 13% of Israeli society, has historically been exempt from mandatory military service, allowing many to devote themselves to Torah study instead. While the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has units specifically for Haredi soldiers, the exemption has drawn criticism from many Israelis, particularly in light of the war with Hamas and the widespread mobilization of reservists.
Opposition leader and former Prime Minister Yair Lapid criticized the compromise as a betrayal of soldiers, accusing the government of ‘spat in the faces’ of Israeli troops and ‘sold out our troops.’ Lapid’s comments reflect the deepening divide over the issue of exemption, which has become a flashpoint in Israeli politics. Despite the compromise, the debate is far from over, as new draft laws will be introduced in the coming weeks, with Edelstein’s committee playing a central role in shaping the future of military service policies in Israel.
As Israel continues its ground operation in Gaza, the country faces the challenge of balancing national security with domestic political tensions. The resolution of the military exemption issue may be one of the most pressing concerns for Netanyahu’s government, as the prolonged war and the ongoing mobilization of reservists have intensified public pressure for change. The compromise achieved by Edelstein and the ultra-Orthodox lawmakers may provide temporary stability, but it is unlikely to resolve the deeper ideological and political divisions over conscription and national identity in Israel.