MK Yitzchak Goldknopf, chairman of Agudas Yisroel, addressed United Torah Judaism's decision not to recommend Benjamin Netanyahu as candidate to form the government, and made clear the party will not support any candidate before the status of yeshiva students is settled.
"We came here in pain, not in joy," Goldknopf explained regarding the decision not to recommend Netanyahu. Asked whether the possibility of cooperation between UTJ and the change bloc is conditional on settling the status of bnei yeshiva, he answered firmly: "Obviously, there is no doubt."
"A law like it was for 70 years"
Goldknopf clarified that the demand is to grant bnei Torah equal rights to those of other citizens of the state, and insisted on legislation without sanctions and without draft quotas. "Like it was for 70 years, that's how it will continue," he said, adding: "We are not prepared to be different from anyone in the State of Israel." According to him, the party is prepared to discuss issues of national service, service in Zaka and other areas as well.
He also addressed the issue of education budgets and treatment of chareidi children, arguing it is unacceptable for Jewish children to be harmed because of their parents' way of life. "There will be no such thing in the State of Israel," he declared.
Regarding religion-and-state issues, including Shabbos, marriage, divorce and conversion, Goldknopf clarified the party's position is to preserve the existing status quo. "We have a status quo, and we are keeping that status quo to this day, and we will continue to keep it in the future as well," he said.
Asked whether talks with representatives of the change bloc have already taken place, he replied that he has not held talks with them.
