Goldknopf Says UTJ Belongs to No Political Bloc and Will Follow Torah Sages

United Torah Judaism MK Yitzhak Goldknopf said in a Knesset interview on Tuesday that his party had not recommended either political bloc and would follow the decisions of its Torah sages. Asked whether UTJ leaned toward Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc or the rival bloc, he said it belonged to the Torah bloc. “We are nobody’s property,” Goldknopf said. He rejected the assumption that UTJ would automatically align with Netanyahu because of their previous partnership. Goldknopf said his party had contributed the strength of its seven seats to its partners, yet the needs of the Haredi public had not received sufficient answers after four years. Asked whether he was putting pressure on Netanyahu, he described his demand as equal rights for Haredi citizens. On the possibility of sitting with Yair Golan’s party, Goldknopf said discussions had not begun and demands had not yet been presented. Asked about Bezalel Smotrich’s description of the alliance between Haredim and religious Zionists, he criticized Religious Zionism over funds he said had been taken from the Haredi public and positions voiced against it. Goldknopf also cited his work as housing minister for the wider public, including soldiers and Haredim, and his work for settlement in Samaria. He called for recognition of Haredi civilian service in rescue organizations and hospitals. He said many Haredim already enlist and serve, including at the front, while promises made to them remained unfulfilled.