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United Torah Judaism, a political ally of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, declined on Thursday to recommend him to form Israel’s next government as President Isaac Herzog continued consultations with parties that won seats in the election, Anadolu Agency reported.
The decision was made during a meeting between party representatives and Herzog on the second and final day of consultations. United Torah Judaism, which holds seven seats in the Knesset, said it would not recommend any candidate for prime minister.
The party left open the possibility of supporting a candidate who meets its demands, particularly allowing ultra-Orthodox Jews, known as Haredim, to devote themselves to Torah studies and reaching an agreement on their military service.
The position differs from that of United Torah Judaism’s religious ally Shas, which recommended Netanyahu for the mandate on Wednesday. The decision could reduce the number of lawmakers recommending Netanyahu from 53 to 46, while 67 lawmakers are expected to back opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot, head of the Yashar party.
Jewish opposition parties holding 48 Knesset seats have announced plans to recommend Eisenkot. Nineteen Arab lawmakers from the Joint List and the United Arab List, also known as Ra’am, are also expected to recommend him.
Netanyahu’s political standing has also been weakened by Democratic gains in the US midterm elections, which dealt a blow to President Donald Trump, a key ally of the Israeli premier. The results have raised concerns in Israel about their potential impact on US-Israeli relations.
Herzog began Thursday’s consultations by meeting representatives of United Torah Judaism. He was scheduled to meet separately with representatives of Otzma Yehudit, the Democrats, Ra’am, the Joint List, Yashar and, finally, Likud.
Mandate and coalition prospects
Herzog is expected to task a Knesset member with forming a government in the coming days. The designated lawmaker will have 28 days to assemble a coalition, with a possible extension of up to 14 days.
Israeli media have suggested Eisenkot could receive the mandate because of the expected number of lawmakers recommending him compared with Netanyahu’s supporters. But receiving the mandate would not guarantee that Eisenkot could form a government: he would need the support of at least 61 of the Knesset’s 120 members.
Eisenkot has said he intends to form a “Zionist government” but has not explained how he would do so, given his camp’s need for support from Arab lawmakers. Several Jewish opposition parties reject Arab participation in a government or their support for its formation.
Arab parties have said they are ready to provide a parliamentary “safety net” for an Eisenkot-led government without joining it. In return, they are seeking guarantees for Arab citizens, including an end to home demolitions and incitement, measures to combat crime and the opening of a political horizon for Palestinians.
