Netanyahu May Lose Key Ally in Government Formation Talks
Translated & summarized from Kan News by baba
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu might lose the support of the 7-seat United Torah Judaism party in upcoming government formation consultations. The party is demanding commitments on yeshiva students' status, which Netanyahu may refuse. This could leave Netanyahu with only 46 recommending mandates. Meanwhile, opposition leaders are actively meeting to coordinate coalition talks, with final results showing them holding 67 mandates.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- United Torah Judaism's 7 seats may not be recommended for Netanyahu in government formation talks.
- Netanyahu might approach presidential consultations with only 46 recommending mandates.
- Opposition parties are holding meetings to coordinate coalition negotiations.
- Final election results show the opposition bloc with 67 mandates.
- United Torah Judaism seeks commitments on yeshiva students' status as a condition for endorsement.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may lose the support of the 7-seat United Torah Judaism party in the upcoming presidential consultations for forming a government, according to a report by Kan News on Thursday. While several party leaders have met to prepare for coalition negotiations since the initial election results were published Wednesday, Netanyahu has not yet spoken with United Torah Judaism chairman Yaakov Asher.
The Haredi party has not committed to recommending Netanyahu to President Isaac Herzog and is expected to demand commitments, particularly regarding the status of yeshiva students, as a condition for their endorsement. Netanyahu is reportedly considering not meeting this demand if he believes Gadi Eisenkot will be the first to receive the mandate to form a government. In such a scenario, Netanyahu would approach the consultations with Herzog with only 46 recommending mandates.
Earlier on Thursday, Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Labor party, met with Naftali Bennett, chairman of Yamina, to discuss ways to form a government as quickly as possible. Additionally, Yair Lapid, chairman of Yesh Atid, met with Yair Golan, chairman of the Democrats, to coordinate moves. Other meetings also took place among leaders of the "change bloc" parties. Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu, is the only leader from this bloc who has not yet met with anyone.
Final election results show the opposition bloc with 67 mandates and Netanyahu's bloc with 53 mandates.
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