Ultra-Orthodox Party to Exit Netanyahu Coalition Soon

United Torah Judaism (UTJ), a key ultra-Orthodox party in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition, has announced it will leave the government over a failed bill to exempt religious seminary students from military service, with the departure set to take effect within 48 hours. This move will reduce Netanyahu's coalition to a narrow 61-seat majority in the 120-member Knesset, increasing its vulnerability to no-confidence motions. The crisis arises amid growing demands for military personnel due to the ongoing Gaza war and stalled truce negotiations with Hamas. Netanyahu will become more reliant on two far-right parties that oppose any ceasefire and have threatened to exit over moves toward a truce. The exit does not immediately topple Netanyahu's government but raises the risk of further defections, particularly if the larger Shas ultra-Orthodox party also leaves. The situation highlights the instability of Israeli coalition politics during wartime.