JERUSALEM - A key partner in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's governing coalition announced on Wednesday that it was quitting the government.

The ultra-Orthodox Shas party said it was stepping down in protest over the coalition's failure to secure a future exemption from military conscription for students of Jewish religious seminaries.

"In the current situation, it is impossible to remain in the government and be a partner in it," Shas minister Michael Malkieli said in a statement.

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Despite quitting the government, the party said it would continue to support the coalition in parliamentary votes and would not back any motions to dissolve the government.

The resignation adds further pressure on Netanyahu, coming just two days after another ultra-Orthodox party, United Torah Judaism, also announced its departure from the government.

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It was not immediately clear whether the move would leave Netanyahu without a parliamentary majority. Without the two ultra-Orthodox parties, the coalition holds 50 seats in the 120-seat Knesset.

Netanyahu is facing mounting public criticism over the government's failure to prevent the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, and increasing calls to sign a ceasefire deal that would secure the release of hostages held in Gaza. His far-right coalition partners oppose any agreement that would halt the war.