Former Likud Ministers Form New Party to Challenge Ultra-Orthodox Draft Exemptions
Two ex-Likud cabinet members have launched a new political party that opposes military-service exemptions for ultra-Orthodox Jews, potentially siphoning votes from Prime Minister Netanyahu.
On Aug 6, former Likud cabinet ministers Gilad Ernan and Yuli Edelstein unveiled a new political formation that rejects the current exemptions granted to ultra-Orthodox Jews from Israel’s compulsory military service. The duo pledged to stay out of any future government that includes ultra-Orthodox parties, framing their stance as a duty to the Israel Defence Forces rather than an attack on the community. In a televised address, Edelstein emphasized the need for an equitable draft law, while Ernan criticized Likud’s leadership for no longer representing its base.
A Channel 13 poll released on Aug 5 indicates the new party is unlikely to clear the electoral threshold, but its presence could lower Likud’s seat count from 22 to 20, tightening the race with centrist ex-general Gadi Eisenkot, whose Yashar party is projected to win 23 seats. The poll shows Netanyahu’s bloc at 49 seats versus Eisenkot’s 56, still short of a majority needed for a stable coalition.
Why it matters
The split could weaken Netanyahu’s coalition prospects and reshape Israel’s election dynamics.
How the sides frame it
LOW AGREEMENTLeft-leaning coverage concentrates on Israel’s broader democratic backsliding and media challenges, while centrist and right-leaning outlets focus on the political dispute over ultra-Orthodox draft exemptions, with the center highlighting a coalition faultline and the right announcing a new party opposing the exemptions.
LEFT
Coverage stresses Israel’s shift toward an illiberal regime and the suppression of critical media.
CENTER
Coverage frames the draft-exemption issue as a faultline threatening Netanyahu’s coalition.
RIGHT
Coverage frames the new party as a principled challenge to ultra-Orthodox draft exemptions, presented as a duty to the Israel Defence Forces.
The left emphasises
- "illiberal drift"
- "move even more vigorously toward a kind of illiberal regime infused by Orthodox Judaism"
- "one outlet... despised by the current government yet prized by international observers"
The right emphasises
- "rejects the current exemptions granted to ultra-Orthodox Jews"
- "framed their stance as a duty to the Israel Defence Forces"
- "pledged to stay out of any future government that includes ultra-Orthodox parties"
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