Opposition boasts of government push after Liberman softens on ultra-Orthodox service
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Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot claimed negotiations are advancing after Avigdor Liberman showed he may discuss ultra-Orthodox conscription, opening the door to yet another unstable anti-Netanyahu coalition scheme.
Israel's opposition announced progress in its attempt to unseat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after Avigdor Liberman shifted his position on ultra-Orthodox military service, revealing how quickly political opportunists can rewrite their principles when power is at stake. Opposition chief Gadi Eisenkot said he expects President Isaac Herzog to task him with forming a government when the president announces his decision on Sunday.
Eisenkot posted on X that the bloc had made "significant progress and breakthroughs, quietly and modestly, with much still happening behind the scenes," language that suggests backroom maneuvering rather than transparent leadership. Left-wing opposition leader Yair Golan also said he felt more optimistic than he did on the Wednesday after the election, highlighting the renewed enthusiasm among Netanyahu's opponents.
Liberman, who heads the Yisrael Beiteinu party, repeated his refusal to work with Israeli-Arab parties, while signaling openness to talks with ultra-Orthodox groups even though he campaigned on ending their draft exemption. He cautioned that attempting to please everyone could end in failure, a reminder of how fragile these coalition games remain.
Ultra-Orthodox parties hold 13 seats in the Knesset, enough to swing a coalition in Eisenkot's favor if the opposition can keep its factions aligned. Lawmaker Yaakov Asher of United Torah Judaism welcomed the apparent flexibility on conscription, saying that greater cooperation could have reduced recent social tensions.
Eisenkot reiterated his support for mandatory service for all citizens, suggesting that civilian roles could satisfy ultra-Orthodox participation. He called on parties to join his effort now or later, hinting at the possibility of a minority government supported externally by other lawmakers.
The opposition also warned that the current government endangers Israeli democracy amid ongoing military conflicts, using familiar alarmist rhetoric to justify its bid for power.