In blow to Israel''s ruling coalition, Netanyahu''s key ultra-Orthodox ally quits cabinet

Published in Politics and Government on Thursday, July 17th 2025 at 20:37 GMT by ThePrint
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Shas party quits Cabinet over no future exemption to religious students from military conscription. It leaves Netanyahu''s coalition with just 50 seats in 120-member parliament.

In a significant political development in Israel, a key ultra-Orthodox ally of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has resigned from the cabinet, dealing a substantial blow to the ruling coalition. This resignation, announced by Aryeh Deri, the leader of the Shas party, marks a critical moment for Netanyahu’s government, which has relied heavily on the support of ultra-Orthodox parties to maintain its grip on power. Deri’s departure from the cabinet raises questions about the stability of the coalition, the future of key policy initiatives, and the broader political landscape in Israel, where religious and secular tensions often shape governance.

Aryeh Deri, a prominent figure in Israeli politics, has long been a central player in the ultra-Orthodox community and a staunch supporter of Netanyahu. As the head of Shas, a party representing Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews, Deri has wielded considerable influence over social and religious policies in Israel. His party has been a linchpin in Netanyahu’s coalition, providing crucial votes in the Knesset to sustain the government’s majority. Shas, along with other ultra-Orthodox factions, has often pushed for policies that prioritize religious interests, including exemptions from military service for yeshiva students, increased funding for religious institutions, and stricter enforcement of Sabbath laws. These demands have frequently put the ultra-Orthodox parties at odds with more secular or centrist coalition partners, creating a delicate balancing act for Netanyahu.

Deri’s resignation stems from a culmination of internal and external pressures that have strained his relationship with the prime minister and other coalition members. While the specific reasons for his exit were not fully detailed in the immediate aftermath, sources suggest that disagreements over policy priorities and the handling of ultra-Orthodox interests played a significant role. One of the most contentious issues in recent years has been the debate over military conscription for ultra-Orthodox men. For decades, many in the Haredi community have been exempt from mandatory military service, a policy that has sparked widespread resentment among secular Israelis who view it as an unfair burden. Netanyahu’s government has faced mounting pressure to reform this system, especially as Israel’s security needs remain a top priority amid ongoing regional tensions. However, any move to enforce conscription on the ultra-Orthodox risks alienating key coalition partners like Shas, who see the exemptions as a non-negotiable protection of their religious way of life.

Beyond the conscription issue, Deri’s departure may also reflect broader frustrations within the ultra-Orthodox community regarding their influence in the current government. Despite being a critical part of the coalition, Shas and other religious parties have often felt sidelined on certain economic and social policies. The ultra-Orthodox population, which tends to have higher poverty rates due to large families and limited participation in the secular workforce, has long relied on government subsidies and welfare programs. Any perceived reduction in support or failure to address their specific needs can quickly erode trust in the ruling coalition. Deri, as a veteran politician, may have concluded that stepping away from the cabinet was necessary to reposition Shas as a stronger advocate for its constituents, potentially by negotiating better terms for rejoining the coalition or by signaling discontent to rally public support.

The implications of Deri’s resignation are far-reaching for Netanyahu’s government, which has already faced numerous challenges in maintaining unity among its diverse partners. The ruling coalition, a fragile alliance of right-wing, religious, and nationalist factions, has been plagued by infighting over issues ranging from judicial reforms to settlement policies in the West Bank. Losing a key figure like Deri not only weakens the coalition’s parliamentary majority but also risks alienating the broader ultra-Orthodox voter base, which has historically been a reliable source of support for Netanyahu’s Likud party. Without Shas’s full backing, the government may struggle to pass critical legislation or fend off no-confidence motions from the opposition, which has been eager to capitalize on any signs of weakness.

Moreover, Deri’s exit could embolden other coalition members to demand concessions or push their own agendas, further complicating governance. For instance, other ultra-Orthodox parties, such as United Torah Judaism, may seek to fill the void left by Shas by asserting greater influence over religious policy. At the same time, more secular or nationalist factions within the coalition might see this as an opportunity to reduce the sway of religious parties, potentially leading to deeper divisions. Netanyahu, a seasoned political operator, will need to navigate these dynamics carefully to prevent the coalition from unraveling entirely. His ability to broker compromises or offer incentives to keep Shas and other partners on board will be tested in the coming weeks.

The resignation also raises questions about the personal and political future of Aryeh Deri himself. A controversial figure with a history of legal troubles, including past convictions for bribery and fraud, Deri has nonetheless remained a powerful force in Israeli politics. His departure from the cabinet does not necessarily mean the end of his influence, as he is likely to continue leading Shas and shaping its strategy from outside the government. Some analysts speculate that Deri may be positioning himself for a comeback under more favorable conditions, possibly by leveraging public sympathy or dissatisfaction with the current administration. Others suggest that his resignation could signal deeper internal rifts within Shas, potentially weakening the party’s cohesion and electoral prospects in the long term.

For the Israeli public, Deri’s resignation adds another layer of uncertainty to an already turbulent political environment. The country has experienced multiple elections in recent years, with no single party or coalition able to secure a decisive mandate. Public frustration with political gridlock and the perceived inability of leaders to address pressing issues—such as economic inequality, security threats, and the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict—remains high. The loss of a key coalition member like Deri could exacerbate these tensions, potentially paving the way for yet another round of elections if the government collapses. Alternatively, it might force Netanyahu to seek new alliances, possibly with centrist or opposition parties, though such a move would come with its own set of challenges given the deep ideological divides in Israeli politics.

On a broader level, the resignation highlights the enduring tension between religious and secular forces in Israel, a divide that has shaped the nation’s identity and governance since its founding. The ultra-Orthodox community, while a minority, holds disproportionate political power due to the fragmented nature of Israel’s parliamentary system, where small parties often act as kingmakers. Their influence over issues like education, marriage, and public life has long been a source of contention, with many secular Israelis advocating for a more pluralistic society. Deri’s departure from the cabinet may temporarily shift the balance of power, but it is unlikely to resolve these fundamental conflicts, which will continue to play out in future political battles.

In the immediate term, all eyes will be on how Netanyahu responds to this setback. The prime minister has a reputation for political resilience, having weathered numerous crises over his long tenure. Whether he can stabilize the coalition by addressing the concerns of Shas and other ultra-Orthodox partners remains to be seen. At the same time, opposition leaders are likely to seize on this moment to challenge the government’s legitimacy and push for early elections. The coming days and weeks will be critical in determining whether Deri’s resignation is merely a temporary disruption or the beginning of a more profound realignment in Israeli politics.

In conclusion, Aryeh Deri’s resignation from the Israeli cabinet represents a significant challenge to Benjamin Netanyahu’s ruling coalition, exposing underlying tensions over religious policy, military conscription, and the balance of power within the government. As a key ultra-Orthodox ally, Deri’s departure threatens the coalition’s stability and raises the specter of further political instability in a country already grappling with deep divisions. While the full ramifications of this move are yet to unfold, it underscores the fragile nature of Israel’s political alliances and the complex interplay of religious and secular interests that continue to define its governance.

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[ https://theprint.in/world/in-blow-to-israels-ruling-coalition-netanyahus-key-ultra-orthodox-ally-quits-cabinet/2693324/ ]

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In blow to Israel''s ruling coalition, Netanyahu''s key ultra-Orthodox ally quits cabinet