Israel's opposition claimed on Friday that it was making progress in its effort to remove Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from power, Naharnet reported. The details below come from Naharnet, the only source in this report.

Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot said in an X post shortly before the Sabbath began: "We have made significant progress and achieved breakthroughs, quietly and modestly, with much still happening behind the scenes."

Yair Golan also commented on the opposition's progress, according to Naharnet. He said: "I'm more optimistic than I was on the Wednesday morning after the election results."

Naharnet reported that neither Netanyahu nor Eisenkot won a majority in the 27 October election. Eisenkot said he expects President Isaac Herzog to give him the mandate to form a government when Herzog announces his decision on Sunday.

Liberman's reported shift

Naharnet reported that Avigdor Liberman dropped his refusal to deal with demands for ultra-Orthodox military service and called for talks with ultra-Orthodox Jews. According to the outlet, this could open the way to an alliance with that community.

Explaining his shift toward talks, Liberman used the words: "understand that trying to have everything risks getting nothing." Explaining his change of position, he also said: "This pains me, and I know it pains many others as well. But given the full range of challenges we face today, the national interest of the State of Israel and the Jewish people must take precedence over all other considerations."

Naharnet reported that Liberman's Yisrael Beiteinu won seven seats, the fewest of the five core opposition parties. It said he had campaigned on ending the ultra-Orthodox exemption from military service. Naharnet reported that Naftali Bennett, who also campaigned on ending the exemption, had not commented on Liberman's change of position.

Ultra-Orthodox response

Naharnet reported that United Torah Judaism declined on Thursday, in consultations with Herzog, to recommend Netanyahu to form the next government. It did not back Eisenkot. According to Naharnet, United Torah Judaism and Shas together hold 13 seats, enough to bring Eisenkot to power.

Naharnet reported that Yaakov Asher of United Torah Judaism welcomed Liberman's shift. He said the party's rabbis would assess any formal alliance proposal. Asher said: "It is encouraging to learn of the flexibility of all political actors on the subject of conscription." He added: "It is painful to think how much incitement and hatred between brothers could have been avoided had that same flexibility been demonstrated in recent years."

Eisenkot said he stays committed to mandatory service for all, but that it could take the form of civilian work. He urged parties to join him now or later, hinting at a possible minority government.

Israeli-Arab parties

According to Naharnet, Eisenkot could form a government with Israeli-Arab parties. It said their seat count rose sharply amid anger at what it called Netanyahu's far-right government. Liberman opposes such an alliance. Naharnet reported that Liberman said he will not back down from refusing to work with Israeli-Arab parties.

Background

Naharnet reported that the two main ultra-Orthodox parties left Netanyahu's government after he stopped short of enshrining the military exemption in law. They did not seek to remove him. The outlet said ultra-Orthodox Jews make up about 14 percent of Israel's population. It said their exemption from military service has fueled resentment among other Israelis amid wars since 7 October 2023.

Eisenkot alluded to speculation that Netanyahu could soon resume war against Iran alongside US President Donald Trump. He said: "The current government poses a fundamental threat to the very existence of Israeli democracy. This is no exaggeration. All this is happening while warfronts remain open and subject to political and personal whims."