Ultra-Orthodox Party Warns Against Joining Government Without Draft Law

United Torah Judaism (UTJ) is intensifying its message against joining a government with the Likud party without a conscription law for the ultra-Orthodox community. MK Yitzhak Pindrus stated in an interview that the issue of the draft law is paramount for his party, asserting that a government will rise or fall on this matter.

Pindrus explained that his party feels they were taken for granted in the past, which may have led to a lack of urgency in advancing their key issues. He emphasized that the draft law is their top priority, and they will make every effort to pass it, acknowledging the need for divine assistance and lessons learned from past experiences.

He recalled instances where previous legislative attempts were thwarted, mentioning Yuli Edelstein and Yoav Gallant as figures who, in his view, worked against them. Pindrus declared that UTJ will not join any government without the draft law being enacted.

Pindrus also criticized the previous government's focus on the judicial reform, suggesting it was a mistake that led to widespread protests. He also addressed the concept of ultra-Orthodox integration into Israeli society, arguing that it would fundamentally change their identity and that their primary concern is preserving their way of life, including Torah study.

Furthermore, Pindrus attributed a lack of divine assistance to the government's decision to elect Amir Ohana, an openly gay man, as Knesset Speaker, calling it a "desecration of God's name" with a price. He believes this decision, made without the approval of senior rabbis, was a significant error.

Reactions to Pindrus's statements were swift. MK Eitan Ginzburg criticized UTJ's stance as homophobic and anti-Zionist, suggesting that Netanyahu would yield to such demands to maintain power. Nimrod Gorenstein, chairman of the Aguda, an LGBTQ+ rights organization, condemned Pindrus's remarks, accusing him of using the LGBTQ+ community to garner votes and drawing parallels to recent hate crimes, stating that such words have a price.