UTJ Leaders to Consult Torah Sages Before Deciding on PM Recommendation

United Torah Judaism leaders met in Bnei Brak on November 1 to discuss their recommendation for prime minister and the formation of Israel’s next government. Party chairman Yaakov Asher, Yitzhak Goldknopf and Meir Porush agreed to consult Torah and Hasidic sages before meeting again toward the end of the week. The three reviewed the election results and discussed the faction’s political course. Their stated next step leaves the recommendation pending while they seek rabbinic guidance. Earlier reporting from the meeting said the agenda also included the vote on replacing the Knesset speaker. A subsequent report said the faction would await the rabbis’ decision, with the rabbis expected to return from abroad later this week. The deliberations come as President Isaac Herzog prepares to begin consultations with the elected factions on Wednesday. On Sunday evening, President’s Residence director-general Eyal Shviki sent formal invitations to faction representatives. The invitation called on them to come prepared to hear and propose ideas aimed at avoiding another election. Herzog instructed that the consultations be broadcast live across media platforms. A press center will also allow faction leaders to give statements after their meetings. UTJ’s next announced meeting is therefore set for the same week as the presidential consultations, but the account of its leadership meeting announced no final recommendation for a candidate.