Jerusalem, 16 July, 2025 (TPS-IL) — The Orthodox Shas party’s Council of Torah Sages will convene at 4:30 p.m. in Jerusalem to decide whether to remain in Prime Minister Netanyahu’s coalition, following what the party called “serious and unacceptable harm to the status of Torah scholars.” The decision will be announced after the meeting, a party spokesperson said.

The crisis centers on proposed legislation to begin conscripting yeshiva students into the Israeli army which Shas and its political partner, the United Torah Judaism party (UTJ), say breaches prior coalition agreements. UTJ quit the coalition on Monday.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would lose his parliamentary majority if Shas follows UTJ.

Both parties reportedly want to avoid new elections, and the Knesset’s upcoming three-month summer recess, beginning July 27, gives the prime minister time to seek a solution.

Pesach Benson

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