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

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Israeli opposition leaders say they are making progress toward removing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after Gadi Eisenkot dropped his opposition to military service demands for ultra-Orthodox Jews. The shift could enable a broader political alliance amid a polarized campaign following an inconclusive October 27 election and years of war.

Israel's opposition said Friday it was making headway in its bid to oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as one of its leaders lifted his veto on demands that ultra-Orthodox Jews serve in the military, opening the door to a once improbable alliance with the community. Neither Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving prime minister, nor opposition chief Gadi Eisenkot reached a majority in the October 27 election, with Israeli society highly polarised over Netanyahu and worn down by three years of war.