Netanyahu survives opposition move to dissolve parliament over military draft dispute

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has withstood an attempt by the opposition to dissolve the Knesset, as his divided right-wing coalition managed to reach a compromise on the controversial military draft law.

The proposal, which aimed to trigger early elections, was rejected early Thursday by a narrow majority of 61 votes against 53 in the 120-seat parliament. The head of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Yuli Edelstein, announced that lawmakers had come to an agreement on the guiding principles of the future draft legislation.

The opposition, aiming to capitalize on tensions within the coalition, introduced the bill in hopes of gaining support from ultra-Orthodox parties dissatisfied with Netanyahu’s handling of military conscription—particularly the push to enlist seminary students.

Labour Party member Merav Michaeli criticized the current administration, calling it “toxic and harmful,” and stressed the urgency of replacing it. Though opposition factions are primarily centrist and left-leaning, some ultra-Orthodox parties such as Shas and United Torah Judaism (UTJ), which are essential to Netanyahu's ruling bloc, had previously hinted they might back the motion.

Military service in Israel is compulsory, but since the state's founding, ultra-Orthodox men who dedicate their lives to studying religious texts have been largely exempt. These exemptions have become more contentious amid Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza, as demand for soldiers grows.

Netanyahu faces internal pressure from his Likud party to expand conscription and penalize those who avoid service—a move opposed by the Shas party, which insists on permanent exemptions for its members.

The coalition, established in December 2022, is one of the most right-wing governments Israel has seen. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a key figure in the far-right, warned that triggering elections during a time of war would endanger the nation, arguing that ultra-Orthodox participation in the military is essential for national security.

According to Israeli media, most ultra-Orthodox legislators ultimately chose not to support the dissolution bill, allowing Netanyahu’s government to remain in power.