Haredi parties threaten coalition as Netanyahu Israel crisis

Israel’s governing coalition is again under strain as Haredi political factions have delivered a clear message to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, linking their continued support to swift progress on a bill granting military exemptions to yeshiva students. The warning places Netanyahu’s government at risk and underscores the fragile balance within Israeli politics, where coalition partners often hold decisive leverage.

Budget pressure and threat of early elections

According to reports from Israel’s public broadcaster KAN, Haredi leaders told Netanyahu they would not back the 2026 state budget and could support dissolving the Knesset if talks stall. Netanyahu has reportedly argued in private meetings that pushing Israel toward early elections would be “a mistake,” reflecting concerns about political instability during a period of heightened regional and domestic pressure.

Opposition move to dissolve parliament

Earlier this month, Israel’s opposition attempted to force a vote on dissolving the Knesset, a move aimed at toppling Netanyahu’s government. That effort failed after Shas and factions within United Torah Judaism signaled they would oppose the bill following temporary understandings with the government over draft exemptions. Under Israeli law, a failed dissolution vote cannot return to the agenda for six months unless the Knesset speaker intervenes.

Conscription dispute at the heart of the crisis

Military service remains compulsory in Israel, but the long-standing exemption for Haredi men has become increasingly controversial. In June 2024, Israel’s Supreme Court ruled there was no legal basis for broad exemptions, ordering eligible men to be drafted. With tens of thousands affected and enlistment notices already sent, the lack of new legislation has prompted Haredi coalition partners to resign from government posts and boycott parliamentary sessions, sharpening the crisis confronting Netanyahu’s leadership.