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One of Israel's ultra-Orthodox parties announced its departure from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ruling coalition on late Monday over a long-running dispute regarding military service exemptions for religious students.
United Torah Judaism (UTJ), comprising the Degel Hatorah and Agudat Yisrael factions, stated that six of its seven remaining members have submitted resignation letters to the government.
The departure threatens the stability of Netanyahu's government. With Israel's ongoing military campaign in Gaza, many circles in Israel are already criticizing that and raising questions about whether Shas, another ultra-Orthodox party, will follow suit.
Six members of UTJ—composed of the Degel Hatorah and Agudat Yisrael factions—submitted letters of resignation following a directive from their top rabbis. Yitzhak Goldknopf, UTJ chairman and housing minister, had already stepped down in June.
A spokesperson for Goldknopf confirmed that all seven UTJ lawmakers are leaving the government.
Degel Hatorah stated, "After consulting with our leading rabbis and due to repeated violations by the government in protecting the status of yeshiva students who diligently engage in Torah study, our MKs have announced their resignation from the coalition and the government."
Agudat Yisrael Minister Meir Porush, responsible for Jerusalem Affairs and Jewish Heritage, said the decision followed dissatisfaction with the latest draft legislation, led by Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Chair Yuli Edelstein.
"The rabbis have ordered Agudat Yisrael members to resign," Porush announced.
The resignations are expected to take effect within 48 hours, according to Israeli broadcaster KAN.
With the departure of UTJ’s seven members, Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition is reduced to 61 seats—the minimum required for a parliamentary majority in the 120-seat Knesset.
The remaining ultra-Orthodox partner, Shas, which holds 11 seats, has not officially withdrawn but is reportedly considering its position. Should Shas exit as well, the government would fall below the majority threshold, potentially triggering Israel’s sixth election in just over five years.
"The Israeli administration has again failed to fulfill its obligations to make arrangements for Torah students and religious school students," religious leaders wrote in a letter to party officials.
"Therefore, I am giving instructions to end the partnership in the government immediately."
The exemption controversy intensified after Israel's Supreme Court ruled in June 2024 that there was no legal basis for exempting ultra-Orthodox men from mandatory military service.
The court ordered that eligible individuals must be conscripted.
Most Jewish men are required to serve nearly three years of military service, followed by years of reserve duty, while Jewish women serve two mandatory years.
However, the politically powerful ultra-Orthodox community, which makes up roughly 13% of Israeli society, has traditionally received exemptions for full-time religious students.
The Netanyahu government has sent military draft notices to approximately 24,000 of the 80,000 ultra-Orthodox men eligible for service, with plans to contact the remainder of the group designated as a "pool" for the 2025-2026 military year.
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