Shas backs Netanyahu after yeshiva student pledge

Israel's Shas party announced Tuesday it will recommend Benjamin Netanyahu to form the next government, linking its decision to his pledge to continue legal arrangements for yeshiva students regarding military conscription. The party's Council of Torah Sages made the decision after Netanyahu committed to arrangements allowing religious seminary students to continue their studies, coordinating with Haredi leadership while drafting youth not enrolled in such institutions. The move coincides with opposition parties' efforts to court Haredi factions for an alternative coalition. Netanyahu held his first post-election call with United Torah Judaism leader Yaakov Asher, whose party awaits competing offers before deciding its recommendation to President Isaac Herzog. Shas won six seats in the recent election, and party representatives will meet Herzog Wednesday during consultations before he selects the mandate holder, who gets 28 days to form a government, extendable by 14.