Israel opposition moves closer to ousting Benjamin Netanyahu

Israel's opposition parties are closer to overthrowing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to reports. One of their leaders, Yair Golan, said they have made significant progress in recent days. Golan, a former military commander, now believes he has the mandate to form a government after President Isaac Herzog meets with party leaders on Sunday.

The opposition bloc could potentially form a coalition with Israeli-Arabs, whose seat count increased following the election due to anger over Netanyahu's far-right government. However, an alliance with Israeli-Arabs faces significant opposition from Yisrael Beiteinu party leader Naftali Bennett, a former prime minister. Bennett has vowed to end the military exemption for ultra-Orthodox Jews, a key demand of the opposition.

Ultra-Orthodox Jews, who make up around 14% of the population, have long been exempt from military service, a policy that has fuelled resentment among other Israelis. Netanyahu, while personally secular, has relied on the ultra-Orthodox community and has not yet enshrined the exemption into law, angering the two main ultra-Orthodox parties. However, these parties have not sought to remove Netanyahu from power.