Goldknopf Leaves Possible Eisenkot Cooperation to Torah Sages

United Torah Judaism chairman Yitzhak Goldknopf left open the possibility of cooperation with Gadi Eisenkot’s bloc in remarks reported early Wednesday, October 28. Asked about such cooperation in a Kol Barama interview, he said the question would be referred to Israel’s senior Torah sages. “We will bring this to the great Torah sages of Israel,” Goldknopf said. When pressed on whether he was declining to rule out cooperation, he said he would follow their decision. His answer did not announce a coalition agreement or say that rabbinic approval had already been given. The remarks followed an October 22 interview in which Goldknopf said United Torah Judaism had made no advance commitment to Benjamin Netanyahu or another candidate. Speaking on the broadcaster’s News of the Week programme, hosted by Mendy Rizel, he said decisions would follow the election results and consultation with Torah leadership. He pointed to earlier signed commitments and guarantees that had not secured the outcome his party sought. In that earlier interview, Goldknopf said his party would not accept government posts before legislation settled the status of Torah students without sanctions or numerical targets for them. He also identified yeshiva funding, teachers’ and kindergarten teachers’ pay under Ofek Hadash, youth organisations and daycare assistance as matters to address after the election. The latest exchange gave no date for consultation or a negotiating timetable.