Israel opposition touts progress ousting Netanyahu after U-turn on ultra-Orthodox

Key Points:

• Israel's opposition is making progress to oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with a key leader lifting the veto on ultra-Orthodox military service demands, enabling a potential alliance with the ultra-Orthodox community.
• Neither Netanyahu nor opposition chief Gadi Eisenkot secured a majority in the October 27 election, reflecting deep societal polarization and war fatigue; Eisenkot expects to receive a mandate to form a government soon.
• Opposition alliances face challenges, particularly over cooperation with Israeli-Arabs, opposed by Avigdor Liberman, who instead advocates talks with ultra-Orthodox Jews despite his prior stance against their military exemptions.
• Ultra-Orthodox parties, holding 13 Knesset seats, could be kingmakers; their exemption from military service has been a contentious issue, with recent signs of flexibility from political actors including Liberman.
• Eisenkot emphasizes urgent change amid ongoing security threats and warns that Netanyahu’s government endangers Israeli democracy, hinting at the possibility of forming a minority government supported by external lawmakers.