Herzog to hear Netanyahu and Eisenkot as Israeli parties lock in PM picks

Israel's political parties will meet with President Isaac Herzog on Wednesday and Thursday to submit their formal recommendations for the next prime minister. These consultations will determine which candidate receives the mandate to assemble a government after the October 27 Knesset elections.

Based on declarations from confirmed parties, Gadi Eisenkot has secured 48 recommendations. Benjamin Netanyahu currently holds 46. The Arab parties appear to be leaning toward Eisenkot, though they have not made an official confirmation. The United Torah Judaism party has also not finalized its decision.

Ben-Gvir, who leads the Otzma Yehudit party, confirmed that his group will recommend Netanyahu. The Shas party, representing the Sephardi ultra-Orthodox community, also announced it will support the incumbent. This decision followed a statement from Netanyahu criticizing the opposition's stance on drafting ultra-Orthodox men for military service.

Bezalel Smotrich, the Finance Minister, announced that the Religious Zionist Party will also support Netanyahu. The party aims to create a broad Jewish government. Its delegation for the presidential meetings includes National Missions Minister Orit Strock, Tzvika Mor, and Itamar Eitam.

Netanyahu spoke by phone on Tuesday with Yakov Asher, the leader of the Ashkenazi ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism party. It was their first direct communication since the elections. The party stated that it has not yet received specific proposals from either major candidate. It will evaluate offers from both Eisenkot and Netanyahu before making a final decision.

Eisenkot announced his negotiation team on Tuesday. The group includes former Prime Minister's Office chiefs of staff Yoav Horowitz and Yoram Turbowitz. It also includes Yael Wolf Barel, Ronen Aviani, and Ronen Manelis. Eisenkot is expected to be the first candidate to receive a nomination during the consultations scheduled for Wednesday.