President Isaac Herzog is holding consultations after the October 27 election, in which neither Netanyahu nor his rival Gadi Eisenkot won a majority. UTJ, which backed Netanyahu in the past five elections, told Herzog it would not recommend any candidate to form a government, although it also did not back Eisenkot. The party won 7 seats in the 120-member Knesset. A key issue is military service exemption for religious students. Netanyahu has preserved the exemption but not enshrined it in law, amid resentment as reservists serve multiple tours in the wars in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran. UTJ says settling the status of Torah students is its priority. Eisenkot, a former military chief, wants to end the exemptions. Observers say UTJ's move may be meant to punish Netanyahu, rather than rule out joining his government. Herzog is expected to give Eisenkot the first chance to form a government, based on who gets most recommendations. That person will have 28 days, plus a possible 14-day extension. Netanyahu's bloc has 53 seats, Eisenkot's has 48. Israeli-Arab parties won 19 seats and could help Eisenkot reach a majority, but that risks losing other opposition support. (Bssnews)