Herzog to pick Eisenkot as ultra-Orthodox abandon Netanyahu

President Isaac Herzog is expected to grant the mandate to form Israel's next government to Gadi Eisenkot, following the first round of consultations with Knesset factions. Ultra-Orthodox parties Agudat Yisrael and Degel HaTorah have refused to recommend Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Shas and Religious Zionism recommended Netanyahu, while Yisrael Beiteinu backed Eisenkot. Agudat Yisrael and Degel HaTorah are angry over Netanyahu's failure to pass a draft exemption law and are waiting for offers from both sides, signaling openness to negotiate with either candidate. Ra'am announced it will recommend Eisenkot, who lacks a majority without Arab parties, while Netanyahu needs a bloc-change faction for support. The ultra-Orthodox fear being sidelined by a unity government, though their 13 seats could give Eisenkot a 61-seat majority.