Israeli president continues consultations as parties split on recommendations

Israeli President Isaac Herzog continues consultations with Knesset factions. United Torah Judaism is divided, with some members recommending Benjamin Netanyahu and others abstaining. Gadi Eisenkot is expected to receive 56 recommendations, Netanyahu 48.

Channel 14's political desk chief, Mati Tuchfeld, assessed this morning on the program 'Israel This Morning' that the chairman of the Yashar party, Gadi Eisenkot, is expected to be the first to receive the mandate to form the government. However, Tuchfeld estimates that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will try to thwart the formation of the government through the ultra-Orthodox parties, hoping the mandate will pass to him. Tuchfeld explained that the ultra-Orthodox leadership currently seeks to maintain its political independence and avoid committing to either side, noting that the great Torah sages have decided not to support any candidate. Tuchfeld assessed that Eisenkot will have 28 days plus an additional 14 days to form a government, and that failure could exact a heavy price – not only the loss of the opportunity to serve as prime minister, but also the end of his political career, as happened to other left-wing leaders before him. The article does not bring a response from official sources.