Ultra-Orthodox Coalition Party Threatens to Block Votes Over Conscription Subsidy Bill

The leader of Degel HaTorah, an ultra-Orthodox political party in Israel’s governing coalition, has threatened to withdraw support from coalition votes unless the government brings a contentious conscription-related bill to a parliamentary vote. The proposed legislation would circumvent existing restrictions on state funding for yeshivas (Jewish seminaries) whose students avoid military service. Moshe Gafni, the party’s parliamentary leader, made clear the ultimatum: “If there is no majority for this, there is nothing for anything else,” indicating his party would cease participating in coalition voting arrangements on other matters if their demands are not met. The standoff highlights ongoing tensions within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government over the treatment of ultra-Orthodox citizens, who traditionally have been exempted from military conscription to pursue religious studies. Coalition partners have repeatedly resisted bringing the bill to a vote, viewing it as politically contentious and potentially destabilising to the broader government alliance. Ultra-Orthodox parties have grown increasingly assertive in recent months, using their parliamentary leverage to secure funding and legislative priorities aligned with their community’s interests.

Source: Ynet — Original article in Hebrew.