CNN —Israel’s ultra-Orthodox Shas party urged potential conscripts Wednesday to ignore a call-up from the Israel Defense Forces, as political divisions over the controversial issue showed signs of widening. Ultra-Orthodox Jews, or Haredi, have traditionally been exempt from military service so as to be able to study the Torah. The move sparked fierce protests among Haredi communities. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s fragile government coalition relies on two Haredi parties – United Torah Judaism and Shas – to govern. Netanyahu has been trying to advance legislation through Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, that would enshrine in law a draft exemption for Haredi men.

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Persons: Shas, they’d, David Zini, General Shay Tayeb, Rabbi David Label, Benjamin Netanyahu’s, Shas –, Netanyahu, Mick Krever Organizations: CNN, Israel Defense Forces, IDF, IDF Training Command Locations: Israel, Bnei Brak, Israel’s