Herzliya:Israel's opposition bloc, led by Gadi Eisenkot, has demonstrated a greater willingness to form a government with ultra-Orthodox parties rather than Arab parties, as reported by Israeli Channel 12. This follows the first meeting of opposition leaders since the recent parliamentary elections, which resulted in neither the opposition bloc nor Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's camp securing a majority.

According to Anadolu Agency – English, the meeting in Herzliya, central Israel, lasted about an hour. Opposition leaders agreed to seek a mandate from President Isaac Herzog for Eisenkot to form the next government. They also aimed to select a candidate for Knesset speaker by Monday, although no contenders were named.

The meeting, which included Yashar leader Eisenkot, Together leader Naftali Bennett, Yair Lapid, Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Lieberman, and Democrats leader Yair Golan, did not invite Arab party leaders. This is despite Arab parties expressing a willingness to help prevent Netanyahu from forming another government.

Election results indicated Netanyahu's bloc won 53 seats, the Jewish opposition parties secured 48, and Arab parties obtained 19 in the 120-member Knesset. A parliamentary majority requires the support of at least 61 lawmakers.

The Central Elections Committee is set to announce the official results, with President Herzog scheduled to begin consultations with parliamentary parties to determine which lawmaker will be tasked with forming a government.

In coalition negotiations, the ultra-Orthodox parties' demand for military service exemptions for religious students is anticipated to be a central issue. Shas and United Torah Judaism, part of Netanyahu's bloc, are seeking legislation to regulate the status of religious seminary students, protecting them from mandatory military service. Shas announced its recommendation for Netanyahu to form the next government, citing his commitment to addressing these demands.