Netanyahu government in crisis as key coalition partner quits

This marks the second ultra-Orthodox party to quit the coalition in as many days, following United Torah Judaism’s exit on Tuesday over the same issue.

• By: Express Web Desk
• New Delhi | Updated: July 17, 2025 05:48 AM IST
1 min read

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to reporters (Photo/AP)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suffered a major political setback on Wednesday as Shas, a key ultra-Orthodox party, announced it would quit his coalition government over a long-standing dispute on military draft exemptions. The move leaves Netanyahu with a minority in the 120-seat Knesset, though Shas has signalled it may still support certain legislation from the outside.

“In this current situation, it’s impossible to sit in the government and to be a partner in it,” said Shas Cabinet minister Michael Malkieli.

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This marks the second ultra-Orthodox party to quit the coalition in as many days, following United Torah Judaism’s exit on Tuesday over the same issue.

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