Haredi faction says it won't recommend Netanyahu as PM as Herzog consults party heads

Summary

Degel HaTorah, the Haredi faction of United Torah Judaism, says it will not recommend Benjamin Netanyahu as prime minister as President Isaac Herzog consults party heads, a move that underscores its rift with the premier. Gadi Eisenkot is expected to get the mandate to form a government, and the Ra'am party has confirmed it will endorse him. Herzog is pressing the parties to end their refusal to work together. Separately, the opposition has demanded the ouster of the Knesset speaker, who has pledged to debate a motion if a majority wants one, and Herzog has sparred with Otzma Yehudit over comments against Arab voters.

Timeline

1. The Times of Israel

   4 Nov 2026, 21:47 UTCSource ↗

   The Times of Israel reports that UTJ's Degel HaTorah faction will not recommend Netanyahu as prime minister, a move that underscores its rift with the premier, while Eisenkot is expected to get the mandate, Ra'am confirms it will endorse him, and the president pushes parties to end their refusal to work together.

2. The Times of Israel

   5 Nov 2026, 14:58 UTCSource ↗

   The Times of Israel reports that United Torah Judaism breaks from Netanyahu and declines to recommend a candidate for prime minister, while the opposition demands the Knesset speaker's ouster and he pledges a debate on the motion if the majority wants it.