Haredi parties may refuse to endorse both Netanyahu, Eisenkot after Israeli election, sources say

Haredi political sources indicate that Shas and United Torah Judaism may refrain from recommending either Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or opposition candidate Gadi Eisenkot to President Isaac Herzog to form the next government after the October 27 election. The sources believe the parties prefer to remain in opposition initially due to the conscription law crisis, though assessments could shift if a realistic opportunity to replace Netanyahu emerges after the election. The opposition bloc is considering replacing Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana to gain parliamentary influence.

Haredi political sources have indicated that Shas and United Torah Judaism (UTJ) may refrain from recommending either Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or opposition candidate Gadi Eisenkot to President Isaac Herzog to form the next government after the October 27 election. The sources, familiar with developments in the parties, believe neither party is inclined to recommend a candidate to the president after the election. At the same time, they do not expect either party to actively seek Netanyahu's replacement or help the opposition bloc oust Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana. According to the sources, Shas and UTJ would prefer to remain in the opposition, at least initially, until a solution is found to the dispute over the haredi conscription law. Even if the legislation passes the Knesset, concerns that the High Court of Justice could strike it down may continue to delay their entry into a coalition and government, should one be formed. The assessments come as parties in the opposition bloc prepare for the possibility that the election will produce no clear winner. The opposition is considering replacing Ohana after the new Knesset is sworn in, a move intended to give the bloc greater influence over the parliamentary agenda and allow it to advance legislation, including the establishment of a state commission of inquiry into the October 7 attacks and a two-term limit for prime ministers. The haredi sources believe that if the opposition bloc secures a majority to replace the Knesset speaker, it may also gather the support needed to form a government. Such an arrangement could include a minority government relying on external support from Ra'am, or potentially even a government in which Ra'am participates as a coalition partner. The sources note that party leaders' current objections could change after the election if they are presented with a realistic opportunity to replace Netanyahu. One possibility under consideration is for the opposition bloc to advance conscription legislation before a government is formed, in an attempt to remove an obstacle to the haredi parties joining a coalition at a later stage. However, haredi sources doubt that passing the legislation would be sufficient as long as concerns remain that the High Court of Justice could strike it down.