Jerusalem, Nov. 5 -- Breaking away from its traditional political alignment, the ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism party has opted against endorsing any candidate for prime minister during consultations with Israel's President Isaac Herzog, choosing instead to withhold its backing from longtime ally Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, The Times of Israel reported.

This significant political shift follows directives issued to both factions comprising the seven-seat party, specifically Degel HaTorah, representing Lithuanian ultra-Orthodox Jews with four seats, and Agudat Yisrael, representing Hasidic ultra-Orthodox Jews with three seats, by their respective spiritual leaders, instructing them not to endorse a candidate.

Consequently, thi...