Netanyahu's position weakens as ultra-Orthodox party withholds support

Jerusalem, Nov 5 - An ultra-Orthodox Jewish party that had supported Benjamin Netanyahu for the past five elections declined on Thursday to recommend him as Israel's prime minister. This development comes as signs emerge that Gadi Eisenkot, Netanyahu's rival, may have the first opportunity to form a government. President Isaac Herzog is currently holding consultations with political parties after the October 27 election, which saw neither Netanyahu nor Eisenkot achieve a majority of votes.

United Torah Judaism, the party that had backed Netanyahu previously, informed Herzog that it would not recommend any member of the Knesset to form a government. The ultra-Orthodox party represents Ashkenazi Jews from Europe and Shas, which represents the same community but with roots in the Middle East and North Africa. Both parties have been supported by Netanyahu due to their push to maintain an exemption from military service for religious students.

Netanyahu, however, has not fully formalized the exemption in law, causing resentment among many Israelis who have served multiple tours due to ongoing wars in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran. United Torah Judaism lawmaker Isaac Pindrus stated that sorting out the status of Torah students would be one of their immediate priorities in any future government.

Eisenkot, a former military chief, has made it clear that he wishes to close exemptions to military service. Some opposition allies of Eisenkot have harshly criticized the ultra-Orthodox community as self-serving. Observers suggest that United Torah Judaism's approach might be motivated more by a desire to punish Netanyahu and demonstrate that their votes are not guaranteed, while they could still serve in a government if he were to form one.

President Herzog will meet representatives of the major parties later on Thursday before assigning one lawmaker to form a government. He typically bases his decision on the number of party recommendations received, making it likely that he will ask Eisenkot to form a government. After Herzog gives the mandate, the lawmaker will have 28 days to form a government, with a potential 14-day extension.

If the lawmaker fails to do so, Herzog will then assign another person. Netanyahu's bloc, including United Torah Judaism, holds 53 seats in the new parliament, compared to 48 seats for Eisenkot's bloc. Israeli-Arab parties have gained strength due to anger over Netanyahu's hard-right government, securing 19 seats. Eisenkot could theoretically form a government with the Arab parties, but this option may risk losing support from some opposition parties.