Israel's political stalemate reveals the power of ultra-Orthodox Jews

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Joyce Dalsheim, University of North Carolina – Charlotte

(THE CONVERSATION) Benjamin Netanyahu has hit a snag that could derail his chances of becoming the longest-serving prime minister in the history of Israel.

Netanyahu failed to form a governing coalition and dissolved parliament on May 29. That means Israel must hold fresh elections, which are scheduled for Sept. 17.

Netanyahu is the leader of the Likud party which received a majority of votes in April’s election. Unlike the U.S., in Israel people vote for parties, not candidates. The winning party is then invited to form a governing coalition with other parties.

So, what got in the way of Netanyahu’s government? I’d say it was a struggle over what it means to be Jewish.

Ultra-Orthodox Jews and the draft

I’m an anthropologist who studies questions of religion, politics, identity and conflict in Israel and Palestine.

For some time now, there has been a conflict regarding the Haredim, ultra-Orthodox Jews in Israel.

The Haredim are strictly observant Jews who have struggled to hold on their traditions. They are followers of a range of theologies and many different rabbinic leaders, associated with particular Jewish communities in different parts of the world.

For members of the Haredi community studying the sacred texts is paramount, a commandment, and a means of protecting the continuity of the Jewish people. The Haredim secured certain promises from Israel’s first prime minister, David Ben Gurion, prior to the establishment of the state in 1948, that would protect their community and their way of life.

The agreement exempted young Haredi men from military duty that is compulsory for other...