Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition government is under pressure after two ultra-Orthodox parties withdrew from his cabinet, leaving him with only a one-seat majority in parliament. The crisis centers on the contentious issue of military conscription for ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) Jews, who have historically been exempt if they study religious texts full-time. A 2024 Supreme Court ruling ended these exemptions, sparking protests.
With the ongoing war in Gaza, public support for equal conscription has grown, increasing pressure on Netanyahu. While the ultra-Orthodox parties' departure has been welcomed by some in their community, it leaves the government fragile. As parliament enters a three-month recess, Netanyahu has limited time to find a compromise on this divisive issue.
(This video summary was created using AI. A journalist edited it before publication.)