Israel’s political arena is once again teetering on the edge of chaos, as the ultra-Orthodox Shas party has announced its intention to vote in favor of dissolving the Knesset this Wednesday, escalating an already explosive standoff that could bring down Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.

In a pointed interview with Kol Berama radio, Shas spokesman Asher Medina did not mince words.

“As things stand, we will vote to dissolve the Knesset on Wednesday,” he declared, adding that Shas feels "deep disappointment" with Netanyahu. “We expected the Prime Minister to act long ago, not just scramble in the eleventh hour.”

This dramatic announcement marks a boiling point in the long-simmering crisis engulfing Netanyahu’s fragile right-wing-religious coalition. The tipping point? The decades-old powder keg of ultra-Orthodox military draft exemptions, now reignited by war and judicial pressure.

Shas says it will vote to dissolve Knesset: ‘We are disappointed with Netanyahu’ - they are not the only ones

— William Kolbrener (@OMTorah) June 9, 2025

Draft Bill Deadlock: Netanyahu’s Delayed Gamble

At the heart of the crisis is a demand by the ultra-Orthodox parties—Shas and United Torah Judaism—that the government pass a sweeping bill to officially exempt yeshiva students from military service, a longstanding but controversial arrangement. The Israeli Supreme Court recently ruled that these exemptions, long enforced through informal understandings, must now be grounded in legislation or end altogether.

For months, Netanyahu appeared to kick the issue down the road. But as the coalition’s seams began to tear, his office announced “significant progress” last Friday in negotiations with his Haredi partners. However, insiders describe those talks as last-ditch efforts unlikely to prevent political implosion.

Shas will vote on Wednesday to dissolve the Knesset, party spokesperson Asher Medina said in an interview with Kol Barama on Monday. Follow for more live updates >>>https://t.co/VhC8ZlwWfy

— The Jerusalem Post (@Jerusalem_Post) June 9, 2025

Ultimatums and Unraveling: Haredi Threats Remain

Despite the Prime Minister’s overtures, Shas and UTJ remain adamant: pass the draft exemption bill or face dissolution. For them, the issue is not merely political—it’s existential. Haredi leaders argue that Torah study is a sacred national service, and that drafting ultra-Orthodox youth threatens the very fabric of their community.

But secular and traditionalist factions across the political spectrum—particularly IDF veterans and reservists—see the blanket exemption as grossly unjust, especially amid the ongoing war in Gaza that has sent tens of thousands of Israelis back to the battlefield for months at a time.

Opposition Maneuvers: Gantz Clears the Deck

Adding fuel to the fire, opposition leader Benny Gantz has ordered his National Unity party to withdraw all legislative proposals from the Knesset’s agenda, save for one: the bill to dissolve the Knesset itself. In a fiery statement, Gantz’s party accused the ruling coalition of attempting to “flood the legislative agenda with dozens of trivial laws” in a desperate attempt to block the dissolution vote.

“This cynical maneuver to cling to power will not go unchallenged,” a party spokesperson said. “Israel needs clarity and leadership, not political gymnastics to avoid accountability.”

Good for remembrance as the Haredim might dissolve Knesset on Wednesday pic.twitter.com/tJ52dGnmb0

— Ibrahim (@Ibreft2) June 9, 2025

The Clock Is Ticking

If Shas and UTJ follow through on their threats, Netanyahu’s government will lose its majority—and fast. With both ultra-Orthodox factions holding a combined 16 seats, their exit would strip the coalition of the numbers needed to govern, setting Israel on the path toward its sixth election in just over five years.

Wednesday’s vote could be a turning point in Israeli politics—or the opening act of yet another drawn-out saga of negotiations, brinkmanship, and blame. One thing is clear: the ultra-Orthodox draft crisis has cracked the foundation of Netanyahu’s power, and the coming days may decide whether it collapses entirely.