Jerusalem:Figures from two ultra-Orthodox parties allied with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have expressed openness to cooperating with the opposition. This development comes as exit polls indicate that both rival blocs have fallen short of securing a parliamentary majority.

According to Anadolu Agency – English, an unnamed official from the Shas party suggested that the party could consider joining a government led by Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot. This potential cooperation would be contingent on the acceptance of a military conscription law, as reported by Israel's Channel 12. The official indicated that certain ministerial posts important to Shas should initially be left vacant, with the possibility of joining later if a 'reasonable' conscription law is introduced.

Yitzhak Goldknopf of the United Torah Judaism alliance also did not rule out the possibility of collaboration with Eisenkot's bloc. In an interview with Kol Barama radio, Goldknopf stated that the decision would be referred to senior religious authorities, whose decision would determine the party's stance, as reported by the Israeli news website Ynet.

Meanwhile, Democrats party leader Yair Golan expressed support for leveraging Arab parties' backing to achieve a majority that would replace Netanyahu. Golan emphasized that every Knesset member elected through a democratic and lawful process is a legitimate part of the political system, according to Israel's Haaretz daily. He advocated for the opposition to act if there is a democratic majority to replace the current government.

The remarks coincided with updated exit polls, including a revised Channel 12 exit poll projecting 52 seats for Netanyahu's bloc, 49 for Eisenkot's, and 19 for Arab parties. Other updated polls from Israel's public broadcaster and Channel 13 showed the two main blocs tied at 51 seats each, with 18 seats for Arab parties. None of these projections provided either bloc with the 61 seats required for a majority in the 120-seat Knesset. Voter turnout for the election reached 77.7%, marking the highest participation since 1999, According to Central Elections Committee.