Orthodox Leader's Remarks on State Division Spark Israeli Election Tensions
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS French by baba
Yitzhak Goldknopf, president of Agoudat Yisrael, stated that Israel could have separate states for the Orthodox and secular communities, sparking political backlash days before elections. He also rejected the need to draft ultra-Orthodox men into the army, claiming the IDF chief of staff was lying. Goldknopf defended the autonomy of religious schools and opposed women on Orthodox party lists. Politicians like Naftali Bennett, Gadi Eisenkot, and Avigdor Liberman criticized his remarks.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Yitzhak Goldknopf suggested Israel could have separate states for Orthodox and secular citizens.
- Goldknopf rejected the need to draft ultra-Orthodox men into the Israeli military.
- He accused the IDF chief of staff of lying about military recruitment needs.
- The remarks by the Agoudat Yisrael leader came just two days before Israeli elections.
- Politicians Naftali Bennett, Gadi Eisenkot, and Avigdor Liberman criticized Goldknopf's statements.
Just two days before Israeli legislative elections, Yitzhak Goldknopf, president of the ultra-Orthodox party Agoudat Yisrael, ignited controversy with remarks suggesting a societal split into separate states for the religious and secular. In an interview with Channel 13, Goldknopf addressed the contentious issue of military conscription, stating there was no need to draft members of his community into the Israeli military, despite reported needs by the IDF. He explicitly rejected the necessity of enlisting the ultra-Orthodox, accusing the chief of staff of lying and asserting he would never ask an ultra-Orthodox individual to join the army. Goldknopf also defended the autonomy of ultra-Orthodox schools, declaring that they alone would determine fundamental teachings. Furthermore, he reiterated his opposition to the inclusion of women on the electoral lists of ultra-Orthodox parties.
These statements drew sharp political reactions. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett criticized the idea of separating religious and secular populations. Politicians Gadi Eisenkot and Avigdor Liberman condemned Goldknopf's refusal to support the national military effort. The interview, occurring close to the October 27 election, highlighted ongoing divisions within Israeli society concerning military service, education, and the role of religion in the state.
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