Last Thursday, the city of Jerusalem witnessed an unprecedented religious gathering in the history of Israel. Haredi parties and groups united in a massive demonstration near the Strings Bridge, expressing their rejection of what they considered the government’s “failure to pass the new conscription law.”
Tens of thousands of followers of the ultra-Orthodox religious movement gathered in what Hebrew media described as the “Haredi Million March,” amid warnings from senior rabbis that they would withdraw their political support for Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, a move that could lead to the fall of the ruling coalition and new elections.
Israeli political sources explain that the current crisis has transferred discretionary power from the hands of politicians to the supreme religious bodies, such as the “Council of Torah Sages” of the Shas party and “United Torah Judaism,” who have become the decisive reference point in determining the future of the alliance with the Likud party.
The rabbis believe that a government that does not guarantee the continued exemption of religious seminary students from military service and does not preserve the study of the Torah is “no longer worthy of survival,” considering that any legislation that does not protect existing religious privileges represents a betrayal of Jewish traditions.
This move comes amid a growing crisis between religious parties and the Israeli government over the conscription law, which is one of the most contentious issues within the coalition.
Analysts believe that increased pressure from religious movements may threaten the collapse of Netanyahu’s government, especially with internal divisions within the Likud party between those who prefer to satisfy the Haredim to maintain stability, and those who call for amending the law in line with Supreme Court decisions.
Political circles in Tel Aviv confirm that any escalation by the rabbis may pave the way for early elections, at a time when the government is facing increasing security and economic pressures.
