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.
Read more: Shas, UTJ & Gantz Align in Rare Move to Dissolve Knesset
At the heart of the crisis is the deeply contentious issue of military conscription for Haredi men, an explosive fault line that has once again ruptured into open political warfare. For decades, Israel has allowed thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jewish men to avoid compulsory military service, a historic arrangement rooted in the early years of the state. But that status quo is now being aggressively challenged in the midst of the country’s longest and most grueling war since its founding.
Read more: Coalition Collapse Looms as Netanyahu Faces Haredi Draft Ultimatum
In a brazen act of intimidation that has rattled Israel’s political establishment, a threatening envelope containing white powder and a chilling death threat was delivered to the office of Likud Knesset Member and coalition chairman Ofir Katz, his staff revealed on Monday.
Read more: Terror by Mail: White Powder, Death Threat Sent to Likud MK Ofir Katz
In a stunning and deeply polarizing display, Yair Golan—the former IDF major general turned leader of the far-left “Democrats” party—has torched his image as a moderate voice of reason and recast himself as a provocateur echoing the most venomous anti-Israel propaganda. Once championing a platform to "save Israel from extremism," Golan has now veered into dangerous ideological extremism of his own, unleashing accusations so incendiary they’ve found eager amplification by Hamas-aligned outlets.
Read more: Yair Golan: From "Defender of Democracy" to Weapon of Defamation
In a bold and controversial move, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel will assume full and indefinite control of the Gaza Strip, while simultaneously defending the resumption of humanitarian aid into the Hamas-run enclave—a decision that has triggered a political firestorm within his right-wing coalition.
Read more: Explaining Aid Decision, Netanyahu Promises Total Control Over Gaza
