Israelis call out perks for ultra-Orthodox in latest protests

© Ariel Schalit/AP Israelis protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, in Tel Aviv, Thursday. Haredi political parties have gained influence under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who relies on them for his parliamentary majority. “[Netanyahu] tells me that he can’t do it, so then he won’t be prime minister,” said Porush. Many reference the 1948 decision by Israel’s first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion, to grant the then-small number of ultra-Orthodox a military exemption so they could continue their religious studies. They have different values.”Coalition agreements signed between Netanyahu and the ultra-Orthodox parties also reportedly promise to funnel billions to ultra-Orthodox institutions, housing developments, and health-care and child-care services, proposals that have further infuriated the anti-governmental protests.