United Torah Judaism chairman MK Yitzchak Goldknopf has significantly intensified his criticism of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, declaring that he no longer believes promises regarding legislation protecting bnei yeshivah from military conscription and warning that future coalition negotiations will require concrete guarantees rather than commitments.

In an interview with Avi Mimran on Kol Chai’s Hamehadurah Hamerkazis, Goldknopf explained why he did not attend the recent meeting between Netanyahu, Shas chairman Aryeh Deri, and Degel HaTorah chairman MK Moshe Gafni.

“I said that I do not view this meeting as a real meeting, but rather a meeting for a photograph or to make a joke out of us,” Goldknopf said.

Expressing frustration over the repeated delays surrounding draft legislation, he added, “They have given us nothing until today. Apparently there are still those who have hope. I have lost my confidence and hope in those promises.”

Goldknopf suggested that, from his perspective, the current government has effectively reached the end of its lifespan.

“Let’s not throw sand in anyone’s eyes. This term is over,” he said, referring to growing discussions about dissolving the Knesset and heading to new elections.

While emphasizing that he would support any genuine legislative progress, Goldknopf made clear that he is no longer interested in symbolic gestures or political theater.

According to the UTJ leader, Agudas Yisroel remains firmly opposed to any draft legislation that includes sanctions or penalties against Torah learners.

“We did not support this draft law at all, and we will not support it in the next term either,” he said.

Looking ahead to future coalition negotiations, Goldknopf said the chareidi parties will insist on securing legislation before agreeing to join a government.

“In the next term we will demand a guaranteed check for the draft law. Before the government is formed, a draft law will pass—and if not, we will not enter any government.”

He further indicated that his party does not view itself as permanently committed to any particular political bloc.

“If someone comes and gives us the draft law before the government is formed—we will not hesitate,” he said, suggesting that support could be extended to whichever coalition is prepared to satisfy the demands of the Gedolei Yisroel.

Goldknopf also criticized what he described as a steady stream of measures targeting the chareidi community.

“Without sanctions, without beatings, without daycare cuts, without cuts to yeshivos, without removing Section 46, tax credits and municipal tax benefits. Where are we today?” he asked.

Responding to concerns that leaving the coalition could result in a government less favorable to the chareidi public, Goldknopf expressed confidence that the Torah community would endure regardless of political developments.

“Hashem will not abandon His people and will not forsake His inheritance. We have faced stronger threats than these. ‘Give me Yavneh and its sages’ remained and will remain.”

Toward the end of the interview, Goldknopf acknowledged what he sees as a major weakness in the chareidi community’s public-relations efforts.

“We lack public relations, and we also lack funding for public relations,” he said.

He added that discussions are underway about raising resources, including from supporters abroad, to build a broader campaign aimed at explaining the importance and value of Torah study to the wider public.

{Matzav.com}