{"id":2618042,"date":"2026-06-23T19:17:54","date_gmt":"2026-06-23T23:17:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ultra-orthodox-jews-become-political-football-for-netanyahu\/"},"modified":"2026-06-23T19:21:45","modified_gmt":"2026-06-23T23:21:45","slug":"ultra-orthodox-jews-become-political-football-for-netanyahu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ultra-orthodox-jews-become-political-football-for-netanyahu\/","title":{"rendered":"Ultra-Orthodox Jews become political football for Netanyahu"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">14<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fultra-orthodox-jews-become-political-football-for-netanyahu%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2618042&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities (Haredim) in Israel are threatening to dissolve the Knesset unless the prime minister passes laws to restore their social privileges, including exemptions from military service and government stipends for Torah study. The Shas and United Torah judaism parties demand legislation recognizing Torah study as a significant national service and an end to the arrests of draft-resistant ultra-Orthodox Jews. Recent tensions include protests and clashes with police over military recruitment, with violent demonstrations happening outside prisons and government buildings.<\/p>\n<p>Leading Haredi figures conveyed to Prime Minister Netanyahu their demand for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/breach-in-wisconsin-campaign-finance-system-exposes-security-risks\/\" title=\"Wisconsin Campaign Finance System Breach Reveals Security Vulnerabilities\">swift legislative action<\/a> and condemned the arrests of Torah students. The political crisis is compounded by looming elections, with the possibility of early dissolution of the Knesset amid strained relations and protests. Historically, Haredim have been exempt from conscription and received societal benefits, but a High Court ruling last year declared such exemptions illegal, causing outrage and protests among ultra-Orthodox populations.<\/p>\n<p>There have been violent protests, blockades, and clashes with police, with security footage showing damaged property and violent encounters. Some reports suggest a secret deal exists between Haredi parties and Netanyahu&#8217;s government,promising legislative concessions in exchange for halting other demands. Many in Israel view the growing influence of the Haredi community and their exemptions as economically and socially problematic, with some members of the right-wing calling for a break from these alliances to safeguard the country&#8217;s future. While some ultra-Orthodox participate in special programs combining Torah study and military service, the broader conflict over religious privileges continues to fuel political instability and social division in Israel.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Haredim, or ultra-Orthodox <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/judaism\/\">Jewish<\/a> communities, of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/israel\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"219\">Israel <\/a>are threatening to dissolve the Knesset if the prime minister does not immediately pass laws reinstating their social privileges.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Shas and United Torah Judaism parties, both ultra-Orthodox, are willing to pull support from Prime Minister <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/benjamin-netanyahu\/\">Benjamin Netanyahu\u2019s<\/a> shaky coalition unless he <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/democrats-recruiting-gop-senators-for-amnesty-deal\/\" title=\"Democrats Recruiting GOP Senators for Amnesty Deal\">passes legislation<\/a> that promotes Torah study as a \u201csignificant service\u201d to the state and ceases the arrest of ultra-Orthodox Jews who refuse military service.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4621512\/marco-rubio-sanctions-cuba-gaesa-natural-resources\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Rubio sanctions Cuban entities despite country\u2019s attempt to liberalize<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4621380\/france-europe-record-heat-wave-drownings\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Forty drown in France trying to escape record heat wave scorching Europe<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4620603\/netherlands-euthanasia-child-under-12\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Netherlands acknowledges for first <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/netherlands-acknowledges-for-first-time-euthanizing-child-under-12\/\" title=\"Netherlands acknowledges for first time euthanizing child under 12\">time euthanizing child<\/a> under 12<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cToday we held a meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu and conveyed to him, on behalf of the great men of Israel, an unequivocal demand to immediately advance the Basic Law on Torah Study and the Law to Stop the Arrests of Torah Students, by convening the Foreign Affairs and Security Committee and the Knesset Committee this week,\u201d leaders of Shas and Degel Hatorah, a constituent part of UTJ, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jpost.com\/israel-news\/politics-and-diplomacy\/article-900296\">said Tuesday<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap\" style=\"min-height:5px;\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" style=\"display:none;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men protest against military recruitment and call for the release of detained draft resisters outside a military prison near Kfar Yona, Israel, Wednesday, June 17, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ariel Schalit)<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; data-large-file=&#8221;https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2026\/06\/localimages\/AP26168556054969.jpg?w=696&#8243; &#8220;https:><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men protest against military recruitment and call for the release of detained draft resisters outside a military prison near Kfar Yona, Israel, Wednesday, June 17, 2026. (Ariel Schalit\/AP Photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The leaders said Netanyahu \u201cmade it clear at the meeting that he is committed to approving the laws and will work to advance them quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Tuesday meeting, though obviously tense, was a breakthrough after Shas and UTJ leaders previously<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.timesofisrael.com\/liveblog_entry\/pm-meeting-with-haredi-leaders-canceled-amid-growing-talk-of-knesset-dissolution\/\"> rejected a meeting with Netanyahu<\/a> planned for Monday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe violent arrests of Torah students must stop!\u201d Shas chairman Aryeh Deri\u00a0told lawmakers in his party on Monday afternoon. \u201cWe informed the coalition chairman that as long as the law to stop arrests and the Basic Law on Torah study are not advanced, we will not support any coalition legislation.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap\" style=\"min-height:5px;\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" style=\"display:none;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By law, the next Israeli election must be held by Oct.27. The government is required to allot 90 days between the dissolution of the Knesset and the election, so the latest possible day the parliament can be dissolved is July 29. However, the body\u2019s pre-election recess is slated to begin mid-July, meaning that the dissolution is likely to come even sooner.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Haredi withdrawal from the coalition would only expedite a foregone election, but the optics and political fallout of ending the parliament with such bad blood could prove costly for Netanyahu, who is <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4602120\/netanyahu-run-reelection-after-trump-questioning\/\">seeking reelection<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The ultra-Orthodox believers\u2019 role in Israeli society is a complex and long-debated source of contention in the country.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap\" style=\"min-height:5px;\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" style=\"display:none;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since Israel\u2019s founding, members of the community who devoted themselves to Torah studies have been exempt from the nation\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/an-obligation-to-fix-the-constitution-alyssa-milano-and-democrats-team-up-to-illegally-amend-our-founding-document\/\" title=\"An \u2018Obligation To Fix The Constitution\u2019: Alyssa Milano And Democrats Team Up To Illegally Am... Our Founding Document\">compulsory military service<\/a>. Ultra-Orthodox learners committed to lifelong Torah studies also receive government stipends, among other benefits.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That was ended by a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.timesofisrael.com\/in-historic-ruling-high-court-says-government-must-begin-drafting-haredi-men-into-idf\/\">ruling from the High Court of Justice<\/a> last year, which ruled unanimously that ultra-Orthodox men cannot be granted these privileges. The court found it illegal for Haredi communities to enjoy a religious exemption despite the rest of society sharing the burden of conscription \u2014 especially during a time of war and manpower shortage.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Haredi campaign to reinstate the exemptions has not been limited to political maneuvers or Knesset politicking \u2014 outraged ultra-Orthodox men have taken to the streets in violent protest of the change.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap\" style=\"min-height:5px;\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" style=\"display:none;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Haredi protesters blocked traffic on a major highway outside of Jerusalem on Tuesday and are preparing a car convoy to protest at the Military Prison 10 on Wednesday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Israeli police clashed with ultra-Orthodox protesters West of Jerusalem on Monday night after rioters stormed the police station in Beit Shemesh. They were attempting to free a member of the community who had been arrested on charges of draft dodging.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men protest against military recruitment and call for the release of detained draft resisters outside a military prison near Kfar Yona, Israel, Wednesday, June 17, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ariel Schalit)<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; data-large-file=&#8221;https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2026\/06\/localimages\/AP26168513272286.jpg?w=696&#8243; &#8220;https:><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men protest against military recruitment and call for the release of detained draft resisters outside a military prison near Kfar Yona, Israel, Wednesday, June 17, 2026. (Ariel Schalit\/AP Photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Videos from the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >confrontation show smashed car windows<\/a>, fires burning on the sidewalks, and Haredi men tearing at police fences as officers beat them back and arrest rioters.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap\" style=\"min-height:5px;\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" style=\"display:none;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Protests such as these have become common across Israel, including last week, when dozens of demonstrators gathered outside the home of Supreme Court President Isaac Amit in Mevasseret Zion. Earlier this month, rioters attacked Deputy Supreme Court President Noam Sohlberg\u2019s residence and smashed windows.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A <em>Ynet<\/em> report claims that the Haredi parties have already struck a deal behind closed doors with Netanyahu that would pass their Torah Study law and end arrests of draft dodgers. In exchange, the ultra-Orthodox would reportedly suspend their push for daycare subsidies for Haredi communities and a bill seeking to reform the kosher food authorization system.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dan Illouz, a member of the Knesset from Netanyahu\u2019s own Likud party, is pushing for the Israeli right-wing to break up with the Haredim \u2014 calling the religious communities a \u201cdanger to the future of the state of Israel.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIf this continues as the haredi community grows, then we won\u2019t be able to manage an actual economy here in Israel,\u201d he <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jpost.com\/israel-news\/politics-and-diplomacy\/article-900076\">told the <em>Jerusalem Post<\/em><\/a>  this week. \u201cI think that we\u2019re at a point where we need to look at the situation very bluntly and understand that the partnership with the haredim does more harm than it does good right now.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not all Haredim refuse to participate in military service. Special programs called \u201cHesder\u201d have been established that allow ultra-Orthodox believers to split their time between Torah study and military training.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4619224\/aipac-van-hollen-antisemitic-tropes-israel-criticism-ad\/\">AIPAC ACCUSES VAN HOLLEN OF FANNING \u2018ANTISEMITIC TROPES\u2019 IN NEW SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These programs also ensure Haredi soldiers are provided with kosher meals and spiritual guidance in a gender segregated environment in alignment with their faith.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If Netanyahu\u2019s party is removed from power, it is unlikely that the Haredi parties will find any better allies in the center or left wing of the Knesset. Haredi exemptions are widely unpopular with the voting public, and other parties have expressed no desire to work with the religious Right.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Haredim threaten Knesset collapse over social privilege laws<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3468,"featured_media":2618043,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP26168556054969.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[81621,6524,5894,81620,37350],"class_list":["post-2618042","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-israeli-society","tag-netanyahu","tag-politics","tag-religious-judaism","tag-ultra-orthodox"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP26168556054969.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2618042","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3468"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2618042"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2618042\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2618046,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2618042\/revisions\/2618046"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2618043"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2618042"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2618042"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2618042"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}