Israel’s Religious Shas Party Quits Government Over Military Deferments, But Remains in Netanyahu’s Coalition

Jerusalem, 16 July, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Israel’s Sephardic Haredi (ultra-orthodox) Shas Party will withdraw from the government of Israel, while remaining a member of the governing coalition in the Knesset led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud Party. The Party chose to do so in protest of what it said was the government’s failure to fulfill its promise of passing a permanent military draft exemption for Orthodox Israelis who study in Yeshivot (Tora academies).

This means that, while it will surrender its cabinet posts, including Interior, Health and Education, the party will continue to support the government in the Knesset so that it will not lose its majority and therefore need to call for new elections.

The decision was announced after the Shas Party’s Council of Torah Scholars met on Thursday afternoon and instructed that the Party withdraw “Immediately”’ from the government.

Shas pledged not to vote for any no-confidence in the government until at least after the summer recess that begins soon.

Shas’s Knesset members will also continue to serve on Knesset committees, such as Health and Education.

The Party also said that it will support a hostage deal, should one be reached.

The move comes just days after Shas’ fellow Haredi Party, the Ashkenazi United Tora Judaism (UTJ) Party, voted to leave the coalition entirely.

Shas currently has 11 seats in the Knesset and UTJ has seven. Netanyahu’s coalition continues to hold a majority of more than 60 seats in the Knesset after the departure of UTJ, but should Shas leave then it would fall.