On Monday, Construction and Housing Minister Yitzchok Goldknopf addressed the ongoing debates surrounding the Draft Law, expressing his belief that young charedi men should be granted an exemption from military service.
While visiting the sukkah of Religious Affairs Minister Michael Malkieli (Shas), where Kol Chai Radio was broadcasting, Goldknopf remarked, “They do not like it when I say what we have done, what we have given, and that we want the Draft Law and the minimum that is written [in the coalition agreements].”
He continued, “I want the nation of Israel to know that we are united, we help each other. We sit in the government, we sit in the coalition, and we give our part – and we want, one time, to know that we will also receive our part – what we deserve as partners. There is a large plate, from which everyone can take what he needs.”
In a conversation with Makor Rishon, Goldknopf firmly stated, “Without any doubt, the Draft Law will pass before the budget is approved by the government. If it does not happen, we will not be in the government. They tricked us. We will not be in a government without a Draft Law, when we are deserters and they strip us of everything.”
When questioned about the challenge of passing a law that exempts young haredim from military service at a time of soldier shortages, Goldknopf responded, “The Public Diplomacy Ministry can explain that. I need the Draft Law. They can draft the charedim who are not learning. This law does not create divisions, it unites all of Israel. Each person is responsible for the other – one learns, and one enlists.”
He also emphasized that the contributions of charedi society are comparable to those of the wider population, saying, “Take into account that we need to be Torah learners and also to enlist – you cannot place everything on us.”
{Matzav.com Israel}