Israel's Netanyahu faces early elections after ultra‑Orthodox parties leave coalition

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s long‑standing alliance with ultra‑Orthodox parties has collapsed. The religious factions withdrew their support this month after Netanyahu signaled he could not pass a bill legalising their draft‑exemption, a promise he made to secure their backing.

The loss of the parties – which together hold 18 seats in the 120‑member Knesset – stripped the coalition of its majority and prompted a vote to dissolve parliament, opening the way for elections potentially moved up from October to September. Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel, a former combat soldier, warned that “the ultra‑Orthodox are trying to extort us. It’s immoral. It’s not fair.” Lawmaker Yitzhak Pindrus echoed the demand, saying, “We need the draft bill.”

The breakdown adds to mounting pressure on Netanyahu from the public, weary after more than two years of fighting following the Oct. 7 attack, and raises doubts about his chances of retaining the premiership in the upcoming election.