Israel’s ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties set to make hefty demands
Both parties made small gains in Tuesday’s national election and may demand more subsidies as price for new coalition in government
Jerusalem — Ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties did well in Israel’s national election and will likely bring hefty demands for more government payouts to coalition talks, making it harder for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to rein in a growing budget deficit. Two religious parties, often political kingmakers in the past, were projected to win a combined 16 of 120 seats in parliament, three more than they have now. Their support is essential for Netanyahu should he opt to form a right-wing coalition, rather than seek a broader unity government with centrist rivals. Ultra-Orthodox Jews, known as Haredim, make up about 10% of Israel’s population and, with their typically large families, that percentage is expected to swell. They receive state benefits, stipends and military exemptions that allow many to devote time to religious studies rather than joining the workforce. Just about half of Haredi men are employed, an issue long identified by economists as a drag on Israeli growth. At the ...
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