Netanyahu Coalition Loses Major Ally in Draft Law Dispute
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s largest coalition partner quit in a dispute over proposed changes to a law on draft deferments for ultra-Orthodox Jews, leaving the government more dependent on religious and nationalist parties.
Kadima voted to pull out about two months after party leader Shaul Mofaz struck a surprise deal with Netanyahu to create the biggest government alliance in 20 years, with 94 seats in the 120-member Knesset in Jerusalem. Netanyahu will retain a majority in parliament without Kadima’s 28 seats.