Israeli Ultra-Orthodox Weigh Opposition Talks After 53-48 Election Split

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 30

Final results left Netanyahu's bloc on 53 seats and Eisenkot's alliance on 48, with neither reaching the 61 needed to govern in the 120-seat Knesset.
Ultra-Orthodox figures are now exploring talks with the opposition to protect yeshiva students from broader military conscription, though United Torah Judaism's chairman denied any formal instruction to negotiate.
Nineteen seats won by two Arab parties could also prove decisive; some commentators say they may back, abstain for, or otherwise help an Eisenkot-led minority government to block Netanyahu and avoid another election.
Eisenkot still faces major contradictions inside his own camp, where some partners oppose deals with ultra-Orthodox factions or reliance on Arab lawmakers.
President Isaac Herzog is due to receive the certified results on November 4, opening coalition talks that could end in a unity government, a failed mandate, or another election.