Ultra-Orthodox party quits Netanyahu coalition over army draft bill

One of Israel’s main ultra-Orthodox parties, United Torah Judaism (UTJ), has announced it is leaving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government over the failure to pass legislation exempting yeshiva students from military service.

Six members of the party submitted their resignations, a month after UTJ leader Yitzhak Goldknopf stepped down. The party is made up of the Degel HaTorah and Agudat Yisrael factions.

With UTJ’s exit, Netanyahu’s coalition would be reduced to a fragile 61-seat majority in the 120-seat Knesset. It remains unclear whether Shas, another ultra-Orthodox party, will follow suit.

Degel HaTorah said its decision came after consultations with its spiritual leaders and repeated government violations of promises made to protect the status of yeshiva students. “(Its MKs) have announced their resignation from the coalition and the government,” the party said in a statement.

Ultra-Orthodox parties have long considered military exemptions a non-negotiable condition for their participation in any government. A spokesperson for Goldknopf confirmed all seven UTJ Knesset members are leaving the coalition