Yehuda Torah Chairman Goldknopf Blasts Netanyahu Over Haredi Draft Law and Police Violence

Yehuda Torah chairman and Knesset member Yitzhak Goldknopf delivered a sharp critique of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the right-wing bloc leadership in an exclusive interview with Yishai Cohen. Speaking amid the ongoing controversy over the High Court's rulings, arrests of yeshiva students, and the escalating draft law sanctions, Goldknopf expressed regret over the ultra-Orthodox parties' handling of the crisis and accused Netanyahu of breaking promises and abandoning the Haredi public.

Goldknopf condemned police violence against protesters and the treatment of detainees in military prison, describing the Haredi community's blood as "disregarded." He recounted visiting imprisoned yeshiva students who were jailed solely for studying Torah, questioning the legality and morality of their detention. On the political front, Goldknopf declared that the right-wing bloc had effectively dissolved from his perspective, accusing Netanyahu of betrayal and saying, "How can we be a bloc when one betrays the other? Netanyahu only betrayed us."

He outlined a clear condition for any future government: a comprehensive legal arrangement for Torah learners that includes no quotas or sanctions. Goldknopf criticized the current sanctions regime as discriminatory and humiliating for Haredi Jews, restricting their freedoms such as travel and driving licenses. He emphasized that if the Haredi parties had shown real willingness to withdraw from the coalition, Netanyahu would have passed the draft law without sanctions earlier.

Regarding the High Court's freeze on the detention law, Goldknopf said he supported legal efforts to challenge the arrests but doubted these moves generated goodwill. He also dismissed claims by Shas chairman Aryeh Deri that the law's failure was anticipated, insisting the ultra-Orthodox parties had no choice but to push for it. Goldknopf concluded by demanding recognition of all Israeli citizens, including Torah students, as equal and respected, with draft deferrals guaranteed by law without punitive measures.

Summary: Yitzhak Goldknopf, head of Yehuda Torah, harshly criticized Netanyahu for abandoning the Haredi community amid the draft law crisis, police violence, and arrests of yeshiva students. He declared the right-wing bloc fractured and demanded a future government guarantee Torah learners full exemption from military service without sanctions.

Points: - Goldknopf accuses Netanyahu of betraying the Haredi public and breaking promises on the draft law. - He condemns police violence against Haredi protesters and the imprisonment of yeshiva students. - Goldknopf states the right-wing bloc is effectively dissolved due to Netanyahu's actions. - He demands a future government enact a draft exemption law for Torah learners without sanctions or quotas. - Goldknopf regrets the ultra-Orthodox parties' failure to leverage coalition power to prevent sanctions. - He calls for equal recognition of all Israeli citizens, including Torah students, with full rights.

Topic: politics israel_relevant: true Entities: {"people":["Yitzhak Goldknopf","Benjamin Netanyahu","Aryeh Deri","Yishai Cohen"],"organizations":["Yehuda Torah","Shas","High Court","Knesset"],"places":["Israel"]}