Kathmandu [Nepal], October 30 – Israeli opposition parties are exploring ways to remove Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from power following the country’s general election with the United Torah Judaism party reportedly offering to support opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot in forming a government.
According to Channel 12, the seven-seat ultra-orthodox party has proposed backing an Eisenkot-led government in exchange for continued exemption from compulsory military service for Haredi religious students. The party may support the government from outside rather than join the coalition.
However, Eisenkot opposes granting blanket military service exemptions to Haredi students arguing that they should contribute to military or civilian service like other Israeli citizens.
The election results have left Netanyahu’s Likud party with 27 seats while his governing bloc secured 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset. The opposition bloc won 48 seats while Arab-led parties secured 19, making coalition negotiations more complicated. The Times of Israel+1
Eisenkot has held talks with opposition leaders Yair Lapid and Yair Golan to explore possible political arrangements.
The dispute over Haredi military exemptions remains a major obstacle to negotiations alongside disagreements over cooperation with Arab parties.
The final election results have yet to be formally certified, with the new Knesset scheduled to convene on November 10.
