Post by : Jyoti Gupta

Photo:AP

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government stayed in power after a big vote in parliament on Thursday. Lawmakers voted on whether to dissolve the parliament and hold new elections. Out of 120 members, 61 voted against the idea, and 53 voted for it, so the government survived.

The opposition wanted to force new elections. They hoped some ultra-Orthodox parties, who are usually part of Netanyahu’s team, would join them. These parties were upset because of a new law that might make more ultra-Orthodox men serve in the military. In Israel, most people must serve in the army, but very religious Jewish men have often been excused. This rule has caused arguments for many years, and the debate got stronger during the war in Gaza, as the army needed more soldiers.

Even though the ultra-Orthodox parties were angry and threatened to vote against Netanyahu, most of them decided not to. Only a few voted with the opposition. Because of this, the plan to dissolve parliament failed, and the opposition had to wait six months before they could try again.

Before the vote, leaders from Netanyahu’s party said they had agreed on the main ideas for a new law about military service. They want to bring more ultra-Orthodox men into the army and give stricter punishments to those who refuse. Some government officials said this is a big step towards making society fairer and keeping Israel safe.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid said that the government is starting to fall apart and that the ultra-Orthodox parties chose to keep their military exemption instead of staying in power. But government ministers said the coalition is still strong and moving forward.

Netanyahu’s government is made up of his Likud party, far-right groups, and two ultra-Orthodox parties. If the ultra-Orthodox leave, Netanyahu would lose his majority in parliament. Some leaders warned that having elections during a war could be dangerous for Israel.