Milan, 5 Nov. (LaPresse) – The ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism party has refused to express a preference for any candidate for the post of Prime Minister of Israel during consultations with President Isaac Herzog, withdrawing its support for outgoing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, its long-standing ally. The decision comes after both factions of the party, which holds seven seats (Degel HaTorah, representing Lithuanian ultra-Orthodox Jews and holding four seats, and Agudat Yisrael, representing Hasidic ultra-Orthodox Jews and holding three), received instructions from their respective spiritual leaders not to back any candidate. During the consultations, representatives of the ultra-Orthodox community made it clear that their support for any future government would depend on legislation preserving the exemption from military service for yeshiva students.
Israel: Ultra-Orthodox fail to back any prime ministerial candidate, breaking with Netanyahu
Milan, 5 Nov. (LaPresse) – The ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism party has refused to express a preference for any candidate for the post of Prime Minister of Israel during consultations with President Isaac Herzog, withdrawing its support for outgoing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, its long-standing ally. The decision comes after both factions of the party, which holds seven seats (Degel HaTorah, representing Lithuanian ultra-Orthodox Jews and holding four seats, and Agudat Yisrael, representing Hasidic ultra-Orthodox Jews and holding three), received instructions from their respective spiritual leaders not to back any candidate. During the consultations, representatives of the ultra-Orthodox community made it clear that their support for any future government would depend on legislation preserving the exemption from military service for yeshiva students.