Israeli opposition shifts stance on military draft to challenge Netanyahu

Israel's opposition is moving toward a possible alliance with ultra-Orthodox parties after opposition leader Avigdor Liberman dropped his demand that religious men serve in the military. Neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor opposition chief Gadi Eisenkot secured a majority in the October 27 election. Mr. Eisenkot could form a government with Israeli-Arabs, but Mr. Liberman opposes working with them. Instead, Mr. Liberman called for compromise, stating that removing Mr. Netanyahu and avoiding new elections are the top goals. President Isaac Herzog plans to announce on Sunday who will get the first chance to form a government. Left-wing leader Yair Golan said serious coalition work is underway. Ultra-Orthodox exemptions from military service have caused deep resentment among reservists fighting in ongoing wars. Mr. Netanyahu previously relied on ultra-Orthodox parties, but two such parties left his government after he failed to enshrine their exemptions into law. United Torah Judaism lawmaker Yaakov Asher welcomed Mr. Liberman's change in position. His party and the Shas party hold 13 seats together, which is enough to help Mr. Eisenkot take power. Meanwhile, other politicians like former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett had also campaigned heavily against the military exemption.

Context

Military service is mandatory for most Israeli citizens, making the exemption of ultra-Orthodox Jews a major political issue for years. Israel's fragmented political system often requires diverse parties to form coalition governments to reach a parliamentary majority.