Herzog Wraps First Day of Coalition Consultations: Shas, RZ, Zehut Back Netanyahu; Yisrael Beytenu Backs Eisenkot, Degel HaTorah Backs No One

President Isaac Herzog wrapped up the first day of coalition consultations at the President’s Residence in Yerushalayim on Wednesday, with three parties recommending Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to form the next government, one backing Yashar chairman Gadi Eisenkot, and the Degel HaTorah faction of United Torah Judaism announcing it will not recommend any candidate at all.

Shas representatives, led by MK Michael Malkieli, then informed the president that the party is endorsing Netanyahu in accordance with the instructions of the Moetzes Chachmei HaTorah. Malkieli criticized the treatment of the Charedi community during the outgoing government’s term, while adding that Shas is not ruling out a national unity government.

Meanwhile, Degel HaTorah, which holds four of UTJ’s seven seats, confirmed that it will recommend no one for prime minister, following instructions from its gedolim, Rav Dov Landau and Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch. The move highlights the rift that has emerged with longtime ally Netanyahu over the outgoing coalition’s failure to pass a law securing the status of yeshiva bochurim. Agudas Yisrael’s position was not yet finalized Wednesday night: the Gedolei Yisroel directed party chairman Yitzchok Goldknopf not to recommend any candidate, while the positions of MK Meir Porush and incoming MK Elyakim Stark remained unresolved.

The consultations continue on Thursday, when Herzog is scheduled to meet with UTJ, Otzma Yehudit, the Democrats, Ra’am, the Joint List, B’Yachad, Yashar and Likud. Likud and Otzma Yehudit are expected to back Netanyahu, while Yashar, the Democrats, B’Yachad and Ra’am are expected to back Eisenkot. The Joint List has not indicated whether it will recommend anyone. Eisenkot is expected to finish with at least 56 recommendations to Netanyahu’s 53, though the first mandate has not yet been awarded. Whoever receives it will have up to 42 days to form a government.

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