Religion in Israel: secularization Israeli-style bends rather than fights religious regulations

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

2. The Orthodox are not a majority

However, you must remember that Israeli governments are always coalitions. Indeed, due to the proportional voting system for the Knesset, there has never been a majority government in the history of Israel. The Orthodox parties are often willing to join these coalitions, generally on the right. However, if they do, the price includes a seat in the cabinet, specifically the Ministry of Religious Affairs. (Note, this is a considerable simplification. For example, the Ministry was dissolved some years ago, but has been re-constituted.)

The Ministry of Religious Affairs determines such questions as "who is a Jew?" "What resources should go to yeshivas?" "Should the Orthodox be conscripted?" and so on.