Ultra-Orthodox Parties Face Political Pressure Over IDF Conscription

Rabbi David Landau, spiritual leader of United Torah Judaism, stated on May 17, 2026 that the Knesset should be dissolved and that he had lost confidence in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The announcement carries implications for the current coalition and the long-standing arrangement regarding haredi conscription into the IDF.

The statement follows more than two years of military operations that began after the October 7 attacks. During this period, the IDF has requested expanded recruitment to sustain operations and reduce pressure on reserve forces.

Ultra-Orthodox parties have participated in most Israeli governments since the 1992 elections. Shas joined a center-left coalition led by Yitzhak Rabin after that election before exiting within a year. Both Shas and United Torah Judaism entered Ehud Barak's coalition after the 1999 elections.

UTJ withdrew after the government permitted work on Shabbat, and Shas left following the Camp David Summit. The parties returned to governing coalitions under Ehud Olmert and remained part of Benjamin Netanyahu's governments from 2015 onward. In the most recent elections they secured a combined 18 seats.

Haredi parties have maintained their position against changes to the conscription exemption during the current conflict. Leaders including Aryeh Deri, Yitzhak Goldknopf, and Moshe Gafni have continued to support the existing arrangement. Public debate has intensified as the military seeks additional personnel.

The writer of the original piece is a lecturer and research fellow at the University of South Wales.