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ATTRIBUTED REPORTIsrael

Eisenkot set to win most recommendations, 56 to Netanyahu's 46, as United Torah Judaism backs neither

Published
At a glance: Yashar! leader Gadi Eisenkot is expected to receive the backing of 56 lawmakers in the 120-seat Knesset, compared with 46 for Prime Minister Benjamin… · Sources: Ynet
ATTRIBUTED CLAIMS

Yashar! leader Gadi Eisenkot is expected to receive the backing of 56 lawmakers in the 120-seat Knesset, compared with 46 for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as President Isaac Herzog finishes consultations on who will be tasked with forming the next government, Ynet reports.

United Torah Judaism decided not to endorse either candidate, despite efforts by Netanyahu to win over lawmakers from the party's right-wing faction, according to Ynet. There had been speculation that former Agudat Yisrael lawmakers Meir Porush and Eliakim Stark would break ranks and back Netanyahu.

On Wednesday, Netanyahu was endorsed by the Religious Zionist Party, Zehut and Shas, while Avigdor Liberman's Yisrael Beytenu backed Eisenkot. Ra'am, the Democrats, Beyachad and Yashar! have announced support for Eisenkot, and Otzma Yehudit and Likud are expected to endorse Netanyahu. The Joint List had not announced its pick.

Even with 56 recommendations, Eisenkot would fall short of the 61 needed for a majority. The president is not bound to pick the candidate with the most endorsements; he must assess who is most likely to assemble a governing coalition. Consultations are expected to end Thursday evening.

SOURCES

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  1. 3:56 AM ET

    Published.