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Israel’s Netanyahu survives vote to dissolve government

Jun 12, 2025, 6:23am EDT
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Benjamin Netanyahu.
Ronen Zvulun/Reuters

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu survived a vote to dissolve his government, but was left weakened.

Netanyahu’s coalition relies on ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties, who want religious students to remain exempt from Israel’s compulsory military service, a demand the Supreme Court rejects.

A last-minute deal stopped those parties from voting with the opposition, but is “unlikely to solve the conundrum” long-term, The New York Times reported, and the split gives opposition parties an opportunity to divide and challenge the government.

Netanyahu is a political survivor, but is under pressure: Rifts are also growing with US President Donald Trump, who reportedly demanded an end to Israel’s operation in Gaza this week, a move Netanyahu is unwilling to make.

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