Politics · Other · 4 hrs ago
Israeli opposition opens talks with ultra-Orthodox parties to challenge Netanyahu
Gadi Eisenkot’s opposition bloc is trying to form a government after Israel’s October 27 election left neither it nor Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s camp with a majority.
Avigdor Liberman has agreed to discuss an alliance with ultra-Orthodox parties, easing his demand that ultra-Orthodox Jews serve in the military.
Liberman still opposes working with Israeli-Arab parties, which have backed Eisenkot.
The ultra-Orthodox parties hold 13 seats, enough to help Eisenkot reach a majority.
Their exemption from military service is deeply contested, especially as reservists have served repeated tours during the wars since Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack.
President Isaac Herzog is due to give a candidate the first chance to form a government on Sunday, and Eisenkot is the likely choice because he has received the most endorsements; talks are continuing, but no coalition has been announced.
Opposition leader Avigdor Liberman said he was willing to compromise on military conscription rules to negotiate with ultra-Orthodox parties.
The move could help Gadi Eisenkot’s opposition bloc form a government and oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Liberman rejected a government relying on outside support from the Arab parties Ra’am and the Joint List.
The ultra-Orthodox parties Shas and United Torah Judaism have 13 seats, enough to bring the opposition bloc to a 61-seat majority.
Eisenkot said coalition talks had made significant progress, but no agreement with the ultra-Orthodox parties was confirmed.
- Who
- Opposition leader Avigdor Liberman and opposition candidate Gadi Eisenkot are seeking a coalition. The ultra-Orthodox parties include Shas and United Torah Judaism.
- What
- Liberman has opened the way to talks with ultra-Orthodox parties by accepting compromise on military conscription rules.
- When
- Friday, November 6, 2026, after the October 27 election.
- Where
- Israel.
- Why
- Liberman said removing Netanyahu and avoiding new elections required compromise. He opposes relying on the Arab parties for outside support.
Liberman and Eisenkot’s opposition bloc
Netanyahu’s governing coalition
Coalition strategy
Liberman and Eisenkot’s opposition bloc
Liberman seeks a coalition with ultra-Orthodox parties and rejects reliance on the Arab parties for outside support.
Netanyahu’s governing coalition
Netanyahu’s coalition includes the ultra-Orthodox parties Shas and United Torah Judaism.
Military conscription
Liberman and Eisenkot’s opposition bloc
Liberman said compromise on the enlistment law was acceptable to form a government.
Netanyahu’s governing coalition
The ultra-Orthodox parties seek to codify their constituents’ exemption from military service.
Voters elected a parliament in which neither the Netanyahu coalition nor the opposition bloc had a majority.
United Torah Judaism declined to recommend Netanyahu to form the next government without backing Eisenkot.
Liberman said he was willing to compromise on the enlistment law and hold talks with ultra-Orthodox parties.
President Isaac Herzog was expected to announce who would first have the chance to form a government.
- Election date
- October 27, 2026
- Opposition bloc seats
- 48
- Netanyahu coalition seats
- 53
- Ultra-Orthodox parties’ combined seats
- 13
- Parliament size
- 120 seats
- Coalition majority target
- 61 lawmakers
5 sources
Eisenkot stands by mandatory service after Liberman opens door to ultra-Orthodox parties
Bündnis mit Ultraorthodoxen?: Israelische Opposition um Eisenkot sieht Fortschritte in Koalitionsgesprächen
Israel Opposition eases on ultra-Orthodox draft to oust Netanyahu
Israel's Eisenkot claims 'progress' in coalition talks as opposition eases on ultra-Orthodox draft
What people are saying
A minority government will last much less time, and when it ends we’ll have Netanyahu back with 70 seats for another four years, and from there it’s a short road to annihilation
understand that trying to have everything risks getting nothing
it’s a pleasure to discover the flexibility of all political actors on the enlistment issue.