Eisenkot says opposition has made “breakthroughs” in push to remove Netanyahu

Israel’s opposition says it is making progress in ousting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after Avigdor Liberman lifted his veto on talks with ultra-Orthodox Jews despite campaigning against their military exemption. Opposition chief Gadi Eisenkot expects President Isaac Herzog to give him the mandate on Sunday. United Torah Judaism welcomed the shift, and with Shas holds 13 seats, enough to bring Eisenkot to power, though Liberman still rejects working with Israeli-Arabs.

Israel’s opposition said on Friday it was making headway in its bid to oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after one of its leaders lifted his veto on demands that ultra-Orthodox Jews serve in the military, AFP reports.

Neither Netanyahu nor opposition chief Gadi Eisenkot secured a majority in the October 27 election. Eisenkot said he expected President Isaac Herzog to give him the mandate to form a government when he makes his announcement on Sunday.

“We have made significant progress and achieved breakthroughs, quietly and modestly, with much still happening behind the scenes,” Eisenkot wrote on X.

Avigdor Liberman, who ran on a pledge to end the ultra-Orthodox exemption from military service, said he would still not work with Israeli-Arabs but called for talks with the community. “Trying to have everything risks getting nothing,” he said.

United Torah Judaism, which declined to recommend Netanyahu to Herzog, welcomed the move. Lawmaker Yaakov Asher said its rabbis would assess any formal proposal. UTJ and Shas together hold 13 seats, enough to bring Eisenkot to power.

Eisenkot said he remained committed to “mandatory service for all” but that it could be civilian work.

Israel Opposition Touts Progress In Bid To Oust Netanyahu After Liberman’s U-Turn On Ultra-Orthodox