Benjamin Netanyahu is facing a new political setback following Israel’s parliamentary elections, as the United Torah Judaism party—a long-standing ally of his Likud party—has declined to recommend him to President Isaac Herzog as the candidate to form the next government. The party also refused to endorse his chief rival, Gadi Eisenkot.
The decision is significant because United Torah Judaism holds seven seats in the Knesset. Party representatives indicated their current priority is advancing their demands rather than backing any specific candidate for prime minister.
Party refuses to back either main candidate
Leaders of United Torah Judaism made their position clear during post-election consultations with President Isaac Herzog—meetings that determine which politician will get the first chance to form Israel’s next government.
Knesset member Yitzhak Pindrus explained that his party’s top priority is to protect the status of religious seminary students. “We are here to negotiate on specific issues, not to support individual politicians,” he said.
Accordingly, the party offered no recommendation for Netanyahu or his rival, Gadi Eisenkot. However, this does not mean United Torah Judaism is ruling out joining a future government coalition; it has left the door open for potential cooperation.
Dispute over military draft for ultra-Orthodox Jews
The party’s stance stems from a long-running dispute regarding mandatory military service for ultra-Orthodox men. Religious parties seek to maintain exemptions for yeshiva students dedicated to Torah study.
This issue has become one of the most sensitive in Israeli politics. Netanyahu’s government failed during its term to secure a lasting arrangement that would satisfy the ultra-Orthodox parties.
United Torah Judaism now demands that the next government secure legal status for religious students, allowing them to continue their studies without being required to serve in the army.
This differing stance on the draft undermines the party’s long-time alliance with Netanyahu’s camp. The party is unwilling to offer its support without clear political guarantees.
Netanyahu loses part of his traditional support
United Torah Judaism is not the only ultra-Orthodox party playing a key role in coalition talks. Its religious ally, Shas, has chosen a different path, opting to endorse Netanyahu and recommend him to the president for forming a government.
This divergence highlights that the ultra-Orthodox bloc is not united over who should be the next prime minister. For Netanyahu, this is a serious blow, as his political strategy has long relied on working with religious parties.
Current projections indicate that Netanyahu can count on the recommendation of 46 lawmakers. In contrast, opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot appears to have a stronger starting position, with support announced from a broader group of opposition and Arab parties.
Eisenkot has a clearer path to nomination
Eisenkot, leader of the Yesh Atid party, has emerged as Netanyahu’s main challenger after the elections. His camp is working to unite opposition parties with Arab factions, whose votes could prove decisive for forming a government.
However, the situation remains complex. Some Jewish opposition parties are unwilling to directly cooperate with Arab parties in a governing coalition, while the Arab parties themselves demand concrete assurances on security, crime, and the status of Israel’s Arab citizens.
The opposition bloc may be able to secure enough recommendations to receive a mandate, but actually forming a stable government will be challenging.
We previously reported on the power balance and potential cooperation between the opposition and Arab parties in the article “Israeli opposition and Arab parties now hold a parliamentary majority. Their leader wants to sideline Netanyahu.”
President will decide who gets the first chance to form government
After consultations, Israeli President Isaac Herzog will decide which lawmaker will get the first opportunity to form a cabinet. Herzog is not required to choose the leader of the party with the most votes; instead, he will select the person he believes has the best chance of assembling a parliamentary majority.
The candidate then has 28 days to form a government, with the possibility of a 14-day extension at the president’s discretion.
Even if Eisenkot is tasked with forming a government, it would not necessarily spell the end for Netanyahu’s political career. Negotiations could lead to new alliances, and parties may shift positions depending on what terms potential coalition partners demand.
One thing is clear: the refusal of a long-time ally to offer support marks a significant weakening for Netanyahu. The next steps for Israeli politics will be determined by negotiations on military conscription, religious exemptions, and the composition of the future coalition government.
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This article was translated from the original Slovak version with the assistance of AI.
