The party, which has backed Netanyahu through five previous elections, has also stopped short of endorsing opposition rival Gadi Eisenkot. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has suffered a significant political setback after United Torah Judaism, an ultra-Orthodox party that has backed him through five previous elections, refused to recommend him to form the next government. The decision has strengthened the prospects of opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot emerging as the lawmaker entrusted with the first attempt to form Israel's next government. The party, however, has not thrown its support behind Eisenkot either. During consultations with President Isaac Herzog on Thursday, United Torah Judaism informed him that it would not recommend any member of the Knesset for the prime minister's post. The development comes as Herzog continues a second day of consultations following the October 27 election, in which neither Netanyahu nor Eisenkot secured the parliamentary numbers required for an outright majority. According to a statement from the president's office, United Torah Judaism conveyed its decision not to recommend any candidate. The party holds seven seats in Israel's 120-member Knesset. United Torah Judaism's decision is particularly significant given its long-standing political relationship with Netanyahu. Alongside Shas, another ultra-Orthodox party, it has traditionally supported his political bloc, with both parties seeking to preserve exemptions from compulsory military service for religious students. Netanyahu has maintained the exemption but stopped short of formally enshrining it in law. The issue has become increasingly contentious as Israeli reservists have been called up for repeated tours amid the wars in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran, fuelling resentment among sections of the wider population. For United Torah Judaism, the question remains a central political priority. Party lawmaker Isaac Pindrus made that position clear during the consultations with Herzog. "In whatever government is next formed, our immediate item is sorting out the status of Torah students," Pindrus said. Eisenkot, a former military chief seeking to bring together centrist and centre-right political forces, has taken a different position. He has insisted that exemptions from military service must be ended, while some of his opposition allies have sharply criticised the ultra-Orthodox community over the issue. The party's refusal to recommend Netanyahu may therefore be less an endorsement of the opposition and more a warning to the former prime minister that its support cannot be taken for granted. Observers believe United Torah Judaism could still participate in a government led by Netanyahu if he manages to secure the numbers. Herzog's consultations with political parties are expected to determine which lawmaker receives the mandate to form the next government. The president generally considers the number of parliamentary recommendations each candidate receives before making his decision. With United Torah Judaism withholding its recommendation from Netanyahu, Eisenkot appears better placed to receive the mandate, although the final decision rests with Herzog. The parliamentary numbers, however, reveal the challenge facing both camps. Netanyahu's bloc, including United Torah Judaism, holds 53 seats, compared with 48 for Eisenkot's bloc. Israeli-Arab parties have emerged with 19 seats after gaining support amid anger over Netanyahu's hard-right government. Eisenkot could potentially seek their backing to assemble a governing majority. However, such an arrangement could come at a political cost, risking the support of some members of his own opposition alliance. Yuvraj Tyagi is a Senior Copy Editor, specializing in security, national, international and defense affairs. With extensive experience covering the Ka... View More