Smotrich Faces Political Fight Over Military Draft, Threatening Netanyahu Coalition

Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich faces a fight for political survival in elections scheduled for October.

Smotrich angered his fellow West Bank settlers by voting against punishing ultra-Orthodox Jews who refuse military service. This development highlights a faultline within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's governing coalition. The military draft row centers on the long-standing exemption of ultra-Orthodox Jews from compulsory military service. Smotrich's vote against penalizing those who do not serve has created tension within his political base, particularly among West Bank settlers who typically support him and often serve in the military.

This issue has been a recurring point of contention in Israeli politics, frequently leading to coalition instability. Smotrich's position aims to protect the ultra-Orthodox community from legal penalties, aligning with their religious objections to military service and their focus on Torah study. However, this stance has alienated some of his traditional supporters, the West Bank settlers, who often prioritize military service and national security.

A new breakaway party is reportedly targeting voters who support Prime Minister Netanyahu, specifically over the draft impasse, seeking to capitalize on the discontent. The political travails of Smotrich indicate the challenges Prime Minister Netanyahu faces in maintaining his governing coalition, which relies on the support of various factions, including ultra-Orthodox parties. The upcoming October elections will test the stability of this alliance, as the draft issue continues to divide different segments of the electorate.

The breakaway party's move risks undermining Netanyahu's re-election bid, given the focus on the draft as a key electoral issue. The outcome of the October elections will determine Smotrich's political future and the stability of Netanyahu's coalition amidst the ongoing military draft impasse.