Israel's largest party walks out of Netanyahu's coalition

Just two months after joining a unity government, Shaul Mofaz led his Kadima party into opposition after failing to secure legislation extending conscription to Israel’s ultra-Orthodox Jews. …

Holding 28 of the 120 seats in the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, Kadima’s entry into the coalition gave Mr Netanyahu a majority virtually unparalleled in the history of the Jewish state.

Despite the loss of Kadima, the prime minister’s Likud party will still hold an overall majority of 12 in the Knesset thanks to its alliance with smaller right-wing and religious parties.