Netanyahu Coalition Loses Majority Amid Conscription Row

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition has been reduced to a slim 61-seat majority in the 120-member Knesset after the ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism (UTJ) party withdrew to protest military conscription efforts for yeshiva students, an issue intensified by the ongoing Gaza war and heavy military casualties. The government faces the risk of losing its majority if the Shas party also exits, a possibility currently under discussion. The crisis highlights growing national divisions over longstanding military exemptions for religious students, as public pressure mounts for equal service obligations. Far-right coalition partners are resisting compromise in ongoing cease-fire negotiations with Hamas, further complicating the political situation. Despite instability, the coalition is not expected to collapse immediately, and Netanyahu may still muster support for critical votes such as a potential hostage deal. The upheaval underscores the complex interplay of religion, politics, and security in Israel during wartime.