Netanyahu Suffers Political Setback as Ultra-Orthodox Allies Refuse to Back His Return

Benjamin Netanyahu has suffered a setback in Israel’s post-election political negotiations after United Torah Judaism, a long-standing ultra-Orthodox ally, refused to recommend him for another term as prime minister, raising the prospect that opposition figure Gadi Eisenkot could be given the first opportunity to form a government.

The development emerged on Thursday as President Isaac Herzog continued consultations with political parties for a second day following the October 27 elections, which produced no outright parliamentary majority for either Netanyahu or Eisenkot.

Netanyahu, a polarising right-wing politician who has led Israel through three years of war, and his rival both fell short of the numbers required to independently form a government.

United Torah Judaism, which had supported Netanyahu following the previous five elections, declined to endorse his return to office during its consultation with Herzog. However, the party equally withheld its recommendation from Eisenkot.

According to a statement from the president’s office, the party informed Herzog “that it has decided not to recommend any member of Knesset to form a government.”

United Torah Judaism holds seven seats in Israel’s 120-member parliament and represents ultra-Orthodox Jews of Ashkenazi origin, whose roots are predominantly European.

The party, alongside Shas, which represents the Sephardic ultra-Orthodox community with largely Middle Eastern and North African ancestry, has received political support from Netanyahu over efforts to retain exemptions from compulsory military service for religious students.

While Netanyahu has kept the exemption in place, he has yet to formalise it through legislation. The arrangement has fuelled dissatisfaction among other Israelis, particularly as military reservists face repeated deployments because of the wars in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran.

Explaining the party’s immediate priority, United Torah Judaism lawmaker Isaac Pindrus said: “In whatever government is next formed, our immediate item is sorting out the status of Torah students.”

Eisenkot, a former military chief who is seeking to build a coalition spanning the centre and centre-right, has maintained a firm position in favour of ending exemptions from military service.

Some members of his opposition alliance have also criticised the ultra-Orthodox community, accusing it of pursuing its own interests at the expense of other Israelis.

However, observers believe United Torah Judaism’s refusal to recommend Netanyahu may be a political warning rather than a complete withdrawal of support. The party could still join a government headed by Netanyahu should he manage to secure the mandate to form one.

Herzog is scheduled to meet representatives of the major political parties later on Thursday before selecting a lawmaker to attempt to form the next government.

The Israeli president generally bases the decision on the number of recommendations received by each prospective candidate, a factor that could put Eisenkot in a favourable position to receive the mandate.

The lawmaker appointed by Herzog will have 28 days to form a government, with a possible 14-day extension. If the attempt fails, the president may give another lawmaker the opportunity.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the negotiations, Netanyahu’s bloc, including United Torah Judaism, holds 53 seats in the new parliament, while Eisenkot’s bloc has 48.

Israeli-Arab political parties have also strengthened their parliamentary presence, winning 19 seats following public anger over Netanyahu’s hard-right administration.

Eisenkot could secure the numbers needed to form a government by partnering with the Arab parties, although such a coalition arrangement could alienate some members of his opposition alliance and weaken his support.

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