Joint List backs Eisenkot, putting him on track for 67 recommendations to Netanyahu's 46

The Arab-majority Joint List announced Thursday it will recommend Yashar! leader Gadi Eisenkot to form Israel's next government, putting him on track to finish President Isaac Herzog's consultations with the backing of 67 lawmakers to 46 for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Ynet reports.

The Joint List made its announcement less than an hour before its scheduled meeting with Herzog. United Torah Judaism declined to back either candidate despite efforts by Netanyahu to win over its right-wing faction, while Otzma Yehudit endorsed Netanyahu. Ra'am, the Democrats, Beyachad and Yisrael Beytenu are backing Eisenkot, and Shas, the Religious Zionist Party and Zehut are backing Netanyahu.

Consultations are expected to wrap up Thursday evening. Under Israeli law the president is not bound by the endorsement count and must decide who has the best chance of building a coalition of at least 61 seats. During the meetings, Herzog pressed parties on a broader unity government and pushed Ra'am chairman Mansour Abbas on why he would not call Hamas a terrorist organization.