Netanyahu Courts Goldknopf, Says the Bloc Must Stay Together

First report: In recent weeks, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been working to bring the Haredi parties back into the coalition, amid the draft law crisis and arrests of draft evaders. In the central edition, it was reported tonight, Tuesday, for the first time, that Netanyahu has held meetings with United Torah Judaism chairman Yitzhak Goldknopf and with Motti Babchik, an associate of Haredi politicians.

Netanyahu approached Goldknopf and Babchik and asked to know “how we can work together again” and “how the bloc can be brought back.” When he was told that they wanted a draft law, the prime minister added, “I did what I could on the matter.” Another adviser present in the room on Netanyahu’s behalf said, “We were sure your rabbis support Bismut’s bill.” Goldknopf and Babchik replied, “No rabbi supports a bill that includes drafting half of yeshiva students. Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch said it in his own voice.”

When they were asked what else they would want Netanyahu, who is advancing the Torah study bill, to do, they answered, “Nothing stops the arrests, they are still sitting in prison.” Netanyahu concluded, “You are right, the bloc needs to continue and hold together.”