Netanyahu Shaken: Ultra-Orthodox Ally Withholds Support in PM Race
Ultra-Orthodox party United Torah Judaism shocks allies by refusing to endorse Benjamin Netanyahu, boosting Gadi Eisenkot's bid for PM.
In a dramatic political pivot that has sent shockwaves through the Israeli government, the ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism party has refused to endorse Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the critical consultations held by President Isaac Herzog. This unexpected move marks a significant departure from the party's traditional alignment with Netanyahu, potentially altering the trajectory of Israel's next administration.
Spiritual Leaders Order Silence
The decision to withhold support was not a political whim but a directive from the top. Both factions that make up the seven-seat United Torah Judaism party—the four-seat Degel HaTorah (representing Lithuanian ultra-Orthodox Jews) and the three-seat Agudat Yisrael (representing Hasidic ultra-Orthodox Jews)—were instructed by their respective spiritual leaders to refrain from endorsing any candidate for prime minister.
The Numbers Game: Eisenkot Gains Momentum
This strategic silence has directly benefited Yashar leader Gadi Eisenkot. With the addition of eight lawmakers from Ra’am declaring their support, Eisenkot has surged to a dominant position with 56 parliamentary endorsements. In contrast, Benjamin Netanyahu currently holds 46 recommendations as President Herzog evaluates who is best equipped to form the next government.
Reports suggest that the ultra-Orthodox faction has even considered providing outside support to a minority administration led by Eisenkot, without officially joining the coalition.
The Breaking Point: Military Exemptions
The rift between the ultra-Orthodox party and Netanyahu stems from a deeply contentious issue: military service. There is mounting discontent within the party over the stalled efforts to pass legislation that would secure military service exemptions for yeshiva students.
During the live-broadcast meetings at the presidential compound, representatives made it crystal clear that any support for a future administration is strictly conditional upon the enactment of laws protecting these exemptions. This creates a complex paradox, as Eisenkot and his allies have historically championed universal military drafting. However, some figures within Eisenkot's bloc have recently avoided ruling out cooperation with Haredi parties.
The Current Political Divide
As the consultations proceed, the Israeli parliament is split into two primary camps:
The Netanyahu Bloc:
- Likud
- Otzma Yehudit
- Religious Zionist Party
- Shas
- Zehut
The Eisenkot Bloc:
- Yashar
- The Democrats
- B’Yachad
- Ra’am
- Yisrael Beytenu (led by Avigdor Liberman)
Meanwhile, the Arab-dominated Joint List remains the wild card, having not yet announced whether they will back Eisenkot or abstain entirely.
What Happens Next?
Under Israeli law, President Herzog is not required to simply pick the leader of the largest party. Instead, he must designate the legislator who is deemed to have the highest probability of successfully forming a stable government. Given the current tally of recommendations, Eisenkot is widely viewed as the favorite to receive the formal mandate.
These high-stakes maneuvers follow the legislative elections held on October 27. The newly elected 26th parliament is scheduled to hold its first session on Tuesday, November 10.