Netanyahu left in precarious position as two ultra-Orthodox parties withdraw from his coalition

A second ultra-Orthodox group has withdrawn from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ruling coalition this week, leaving him holding on to power with the minimum number of seats required, multiple news outlets reported on Tuesday. 

The Agudat Yisrael faction withdrew on Tuesday, leaving Netanyahu's coalition with 61 seats in the Knesset out of a total of 120 seats, while the Degel HaTorah faction withdrew on Monday.

Both groups withdrew in protest against a bill not being drafted to exempt ultra-Orthodox Jews from military service. 

The Shas party - also an ultra-Orthodox party - is threatening to withdraw on Thursday. If this happens, it would lead to the collapse of the Netanyahu government and trigger elections.