Fact Check: "The ultra-Orthodox parties in Netanyahu’s coalition are on the verge of bringing down the government."
What We Know
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government is facing significant challenges, particularly from his ultra-Orthodox coalition partners. Recently, the opposition submitted a bill to dissolve the Knesset, Israel's parliament, which has garnered support from the ultra-Orthodox parties due to their dissatisfaction with the government's failure to pass a law exempting their community from mandatory military service. This issue has become increasingly contentious amid the ongoing war in Gaza, which has heightened public scrutiny and anger towards the ultra-Orthodox community's exemptions from military service (AP News).
While the ultra-Orthodox parties have threatened to support the dissolution bill, they ultimately did not unite with the opposition during a recent vote, with only two members breaking ranks to support it. Netanyahu managed to negotiate a last-minute compromise with the ultra-Orthodox leaders, averting an immediate crisis (New York Times). However, the situation remains precarious, as the ultra-Orthodox parties have historically wielded significant influence within the coalition, and their dissatisfaction could lead to future instability.
Analysis
The claim that the ultra-Orthodox parties are on the verge of bringing down the government is partially true. The ultra-Orthodox parties are indeed expressing significant discontent with the current government's handling of military service exemptions, which is a longstanding issue in Israeli politics. Their threats to support the opposition's dissolution bill indicate a willingness to leverage their political power to achieve their goals (Times Union).
However, the recent vote to dissolve the Knesset did not pass, and the ultra-Orthodox parties did not fully align with the opposition as initially expected. This suggests that while they are dissatisfied, they are also cautious about the implications of triggering early elections, particularly given their current influence within the government and the potential risks of losing power in a new election (New York Times). The ultra-Orthodox parties have much to lose, as they have benefited from the current coalition's policies, which have provided them with financial support and privileges.
Moreover, Netanyahu's ability to negotiate a compromise at the last moment demonstrates his political acumen and suggests that he may still have the capacity to manage his coalition, at least temporarily. Political analysts note that Netanyahu is skilled at stalling and navigating crises, which could buy him time to address the underlying issues without collapsing the government (New York Times).
Conclusion
The claim that the ultra-Orthodox parties are on the verge of bringing down the government is partially true. While their dissatisfaction with military service exemptions and their threats to support the opposition indicate a significant level of unrest within the coalition, recent developments show that they have not yet taken definitive steps to dissolve the government. The situation remains fluid, and the ultra-Orthodox parties' actions will continue to be a critical factor in the stability of Netanyahu's government.
