Jerusalem, 1 November, 2026 (TPS-IL) — United Torah Judaism is considering recommending Benjamin Netanyahu to President Isaac Herzog as the candidate to form the next government, even if Yashar chairman Gadi Eisenkot appears poised to secure a majority of recommendations, Israeli media reported Sunday.
The party’s three constituent factions, Degel HaTorah, Agudat Yisrael, and Chomat Torah Yisrael, must submit a single unified recommendation. Their representatives are expected at the President’s Residence on Thursday, the second day of consultations, allowing them to assess the recommendations submitted by other parties, particularly the two Arab factions.
The move could signal to Eisenkot that UTJ will not automatically support his government. Initial contacts have explored possible parliamentary backing from outside a coalition in exchange for legislation regulating yeshiva students’ military status. No agreement to join a coalition has been reached.
