Ultra-Orthodox party declines to back Netanyahu; Eisenkot favored to form Israeli government

Israeli ultra-Orthodox party United Torah Judaism declined on Thursday to recommend Benjamin Netanyahu as prime minister, increasing the likelihood that rival Gadi Eisenkot will be tasked with forming a government. President Isaac Herzog is consulting parties after the October 27 election left neither candidate with a majority. United Torah Judaism, which backed Netanyahu after the previous five elections, said it would not recommend any lawmaker for the role, though it also did not endorse Eisenkot. The party holds seven seats in the 120-member parliament and has long supported Netanyahu over his preservation of military service exemptions for religious students. Eisenkot, a former military chief, has vowed to close those exemptions, which have drawn resentment amid wars in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran. Herzog will likely task Eisenkot with forming a government, giving him 28 days plus a possible 14-day extension. Netanyahu's bloc holds 53 seats versus 48 for Eisenkot's, with Israeli-Arab parties winning 19.