Israeli opposition candidate Eisenkot says he is making significant progress toward forming a government

Summary

Israeli opposition candidate Gadi Eisenkot said on Friday that he was making "significant progress" in forming a government to oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. One of his possible coalition partners walked back its demands that ultra-Orthodox Jews complete military service and signalled a willingness to hold talks with the community. The Straits Times reported that the opposition was touting progress after that U-turn, and noted that one opposition leader had previously promised to end the ultra-Orthodox exemption from Israel's mandatory military service.

Timeline

1. France 24

   6 Nov 2026, 11:43 UTCSource ↗

   France 24 reports that Israeli opposition candidate Gadi Eisenkot said on Friday he was making "significant progress" in forming a government to oust Netanyahu, as one possible coalition partner walked back demands that ultra-Orthodox Jews complete military service and signalled willingness to hold talks with the community.

2. The Straits Times

   6 Nov 2026, 15:57 UTCSource ↗

   The Straits Times reports that the Israeli opposition is touting progress in ousting Netanyahu after a U-turn on the ultra-Orthodox draft, and that one opposition leader had previously promised to end the ultra-Orthodox Jews' exemption from mandatory military service.