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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suffered a major political setback on Wednesday as Shas, a key ultra-Orthodox party, announced it would quit his coalition government over a long-standing dispute on military draft exemptions. The move leaves Netanyahu with a minority in the 120-seat Knesset, though Shas has signalled it may still support certain legislation from the outside.
“In this current situation, it’s impossible to sit in the government and to be a partner in it,” said Shas Cabinet minister Michael Malkieli.
This marks the second ultra-Orthodox party to quit the coalition in as many days, following United Torah Judaism’s exit on Tuesday over the same issue.
