Yitzhak Goldknopf

Israel's ultra-Orthodox community can no longer avoid the hard conversations - opinion

The haredi community has the numbers, the talent, and the values to lift this country into a new and bright future; we cannot be the ones to drag it down.

Moti Leitner, deputy mayor of Beit Shemesh and founder of the Haredi Public Party, at the ‘Jerusalem Post’ studio, August 11, 2026
Amcha Yisrael party chairman Ofer Winter speaks during a press conference in Tel Aviv, September 2, 2026.

Ofer Winter rejects Goldknopf's demand for universal yeshiva student IDF draft exemption

MK Yitzhak Pindrus speaks during a Finance committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, June 3, 2026.

'Start with Lazimi': Haredi lawmaker suggests opposition MK should be shot for protesting

Yitzhak Goldknopf

Discussion on Goldknopf’s proposal to lower VAT postponed by two weeks


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