The ultra-orthodox party Shas states that they are leaving the government due to disagreement on the issue of ultra-orthodox men performing military service at the same level as other Israeli Jews.
Another ultra-orthodox party, the Torah party, left the government earlier in the week due to the same dispute over military service.
Leading a minority government will make it difficult for Netanyahu to govern. However, Shas says it does not support a collapse of the government – and states that it will vote with the government on certain legislative proposals.
The political turmoil is taking place at the same time as Israel and the terror-stamped Hamas are negotiating a US-backed proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Although the government resignations will not necessarily thwart the negotiations, Netanyahu will be more susceptible to the demands of his far-right coalition parties that oppose ending the war that began with Hamas' terror attack on October 7, 2023.
