Pressure Mounts on Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu as Opposition Moves to Dissolve Parliament

 Pressure Mounts on Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu as Opposition Moves to Dissolve Parliament

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces increasing political pressure as members of his coalition threaten to leave and support an opposition motion to dissolve the Knesset (parliament), scheduled for next week. Recent opinion polls indicate that Netanyahu’s government could lose power if new elections are held today, mainly due to public dissatisfaction over the ongoing war in Gaza following Hamas’s attack in October 2023.

A key faction, United Torah Judaism—one of the two ultra-Orthodox parties in the coalition—has threatened to withdraw unless it secures concessions for exempting ultra-Orthodox men from mandatory military service. The opposition party Yesh Atid, led by former Prime Minister Yair Lapid, has tabled a vote that would require only a majority support (61 out of 120 seats) to topple the government.

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Despite the crisis, Netanyahu has remained largely silent, though coalition negotiations continue behind the scenes. The coalition, which includes secular right-wing parties and ultra-Orthodox groups, holds an 8-seat majority in parliament. The key sticking point is the exemption law for religious seminary students, which has caused deep division—potentially risking the coalition's stability.

Some analysts speculate Netanyahu may be betting that ultra-Orthodox lawmakers are bluffing, especially since polls suggest they face defeat in any early election. Historically, Israeli governments rarely serve full terms; Netanyahu’s current term, elected in 2022, has been marred by criticism over security failures and the ongoing Gaza conflict.

Broader protests and family demands for a ceasefire are adding to the political turmoil, with critics accusing Netanyahu of mishandling the war effort and risking further instability if the opposition proceeds with dissolving parliament.