Shas, UTJ Move to Dissolve Israeli Knesset, Threaten Coalition Majority

Israel's coalition government faces a severe crisis as multiple parties, including Benny Gantz’s National Unity opposition, United Torah Judaism (UTJ), and the Sephardic ultra-Orthodox Shas party, push for legislation to dissolve the Knesset over the failure to pass a law exempting yeshiva students from military conscription. The rabbinical leadership of Degel HaTorah, part of UTJ, has been instrumental in calling for dissolution, while Shas, after internal meetings and amid accusations against Likud lawmaker Yuli Edelstein for sabotaging the coalition, has signaled strong support for the move. Edelstein’s recent efforts to introduce harsher sanctions related to the draft law, including personal penalties against yeshiva students, have heightened tensions and contributed to feelings of betrayal within Shas. Despite attempts by Prime Minister Netanyahu to mediate, the coalition appears increasingly fragile, with Shas possibly conceding credit for the dissolution initiative to UTJ. If the bill to dissolve the Knesset passes, it would likely result in the collapse of the government and early elections, marking a significant shift in Israel’s political landscape.