Yitzhak Goldknopf

‘Maybe we’ll bomb them, maybe I’ll just dance’: Eretz Nehederet laughs at Trump’s Iran attack plan

As it seems possible that a US attack on Iran may lead to another Iranian attack on Israel, there’s very little any of us can do except stock up on groceries and try to laugh about it all.

OMER ETZION, acting as US President Donald Trump on Eretz Nehederet.
Rabbi Yaakov Aryeh Alter, head of the Gur hassidic dynasty,  seen after a meeting of the Council of Torah Sages regarding the haredi draft exemption bill in Jerusalem, January 7, 2026.

Ultra-Orthodox sages convene on haredi IDF draft bill, withhold official stance

Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) protesters gather in Mea She'arim, Jerusalem, to celebrate draft dodgers' release from miiltary prison, November 30, 2025; illustrative.

From yellow badges to ‘extermination ovens’: Toxic rhetoric of haredi draft protests - editorial

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid hold a joint press conference at the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem on June 20, 2022.

Bennett pushes for billions of shekels to be redirected to reservists over draft dodgers


Goldknopf likens sanctions on haredi draft dodgers to placing 'yellow badge' on them at the Knesset

“I beg you, exempt them from everything,” United Torah Judaism chairperson Goldknopf told the panel, before seeming to refer to the yellow star that Nazi’s placed on Jews during the Holocaust.

Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) protesters gather in Mea She'arim, Jerusalem, to celebrate draft dodgers' release from miiltary prison, November 30, 2025; illustrative.

High Court to hear two cases blocking haredi education funds amid legal disputes

Supreme Court Justice Yael Willner ordered that hearings in both cases be held by January 8, and instructed the parties to submit preliminary responses up to 24 hours beforehand.

Supreme Court justices preside over a hearing at the High Court of Justice in Jerusalem, December 1, 2025

Ultra-Orthodox leaders give haredi factions green light to advance IDF draft bill

The past week has seen violence from within the haredi community from extremists who are against a law that would require army enlistment from members of the community.

 Rabbi Dov Lando seen during a meeting to discuss the drafting of ultra-Orthodox jews to the IDF in the ultra-Orthodox city of Bnei Brak, April 5, 2024.

'Disgraceful': Goldknopf slammed for comparing arrested haredi draft dodgers to hostages

Goldknopf’s remarks come amid controversy in the country over the issue of haredi conscription, as the IDF continues to report severe manpower shortages while Israel enters its second year of war.

 Yitzhak Goldknopf at a United Torah Judaism meeting at the Knesset, Jerusalem, May 19, 2025.

Haim Katz appointed as permanent housing minister, replacing haredi party UTJ’s Goldknopf

Following the vote, Katz stated, “I thank the prime minister for his trust and the members of the government for their support.”

Tourism minister Haim Katz attends a Finance committee meeting, in the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem on December 9, 2024.

Ultra-Orthodox MK Goldknopf asks Netanyahu to finance Chabad's trip to New York

This comes after the Breslov hassidim received a framework that allows for NIS 10 million to be used in their Rosh Hashanah pilgrimages to Uman, Ukraine.

 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Construction and Housing Minister Yitzhak Goldknopf seen in Jerusalem, September 27, 2023

Goldknopf: Haredim will leave Israel if 'there is no choice' in IDF enlistment

"The Haredim will not change their way of life because there is an army and a war. There is an army, and there are people who will join it," said Goldknopf.

 Yitzhak Goldknopf at the Knesset on March 3, 2025.

'We failed, made a mistake' on judicial reform, haredi draft bill deal, UTJ's Goldknopf says

UTJ was told to support the judicial reform as it would allow for a "basic law of Torah study," and another law as an override clause, Yitzhak Goldknopf claimed in an interview with Kikar HaShabbat.

 Yitzhak Goldknopf at a United Torah Judaism meeting at the Knesset, Jerusalem, May 19, 2025.

Haredi parties ramp up pressure after Edelstein IDF draft bill delayed

The boycott marked an uptick in the haredi parties’ pressure campaign, as they had previously refrained from boycotting the plenum on Monday.

 Committee Chairman Yuli Edelstein leads a Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem on May 8, 2025.

Ultra-Orthodox minister resigns from Israeli gov't over IDF draft law debacle

In a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday, Goldknopf outlined the series of delays and setbacks that prevented the bill from proceeding.

 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Construction and Housing Minister Yitzhak Goldknopf seen in Jerusalem, September 27, 2023

Haredi minister pushing for bill to disperse Knesset, take Israel to elections

According to Israeli law, if a bill to disperse the Knesset passes, an election is automatically called and must occur within 90 days.

 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Construction and Housing Minister Yitzhak Goldknopf seen in Jerusalem, September 27, 2023