Israeli media reported on Tuesday that an ultra-Orthodox Israeli party has announced its withdrawal from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government over plans to introduce mandatory military service.
The Ynet news website said the United Torah Judaism party, which represents the Haredi community, was unhappy with a bill introduced on Monday that would regulate military service for the ultra-Orthodox.
The party’s lawmakers — including the deputy transportation minister and the minister for Jerusalem affairs — are preparing to resign from their cabinet posts, although the Times of Israel reported that the resignations could take effect in up to 48 hours, giving Netanyahu time to reconsider his proposals.
United Torah Judaism holds seven seats in the Knesset, Israel’s 120-seat parliament.
Its withdrawal from Netanyahu’s coalition would leave the government with 61 seats, leaving a narrow majority of just one.
In a further complication for the prime minister, another ultra-Orthodox party – Shas – could also leave the coalition over the plans, forcing Netanyahu to either resign or lead a minority government.
