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Speaking at an Agudas Yisroel party council meeting ahead of approval of its slate for the 26th Knesset, Goldknopf discussed the draft law, Agudas Yisroel’s departure from the government, the renewed arrangement with Degel HaTorah, and the approaching election campaign.

Goldknopf opened with a call for unity, quoting the posuk, “Atem nitzavim hayom kulchem lifnei Hashem Elokeichem,” and saying that Agudas Yisroel derives its strength from the bond between the Gedolei Torah, elected representatives, communities and activists.

“Today we are gathering to approve the Agudas Yisroel slate for the 26th Knesset. I thank you for the trust and support in having me lead the slate. I accept this mission with humility, reverence and complete commitment to the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah and the entire Chareidi public,” he said.

A substantial portion of Goldknopf’s address focused on Agudas Yisroel’s battle over the draft issue during the outgoing Knesset. He said the movement has carried “the banner of faithful Judaism for generations,” defending kedushas Shabbos, the Olam HaTorah, Chareidi education and the right of Chareidim to maintain their way of life.

Goldknopf said the past term subjected the Chareidi community to “a wild campaign of incitement against the Chareidi public,” accompanied by sanctions and decrees directed at those learning Torah. He pointed to the arrests of bnei yeshivos, cuts affecting yeshivos and Chareidi education, and the financial consequences imposed on Chareidi families.

“We stood tall on the front lines of the struggle, made our voice heard clearly and acted with every tool at our disposal. We were the Nachshons and withdrew from the government out of loyalty to the mission we received from the Gedolei Torah and out of an absolute commitment to safeguarding the Olam HaTorah,” he declared.

Goldknopf then criticized other Chareidi representatives for not leaving the government together with Agudas Yisroel at the same point, saying that a coordinated move by all the Chareidi parties could have produced a very different result.

“I still believe with all my heart that if all the representatives of the Chareidi public had withdrawn together with us at the same time, with a united position and shared determination, the reality today would be different,” he said.

Goldknopf said the party must now take on a broader mission of explaining to Israelis the importance of Torah learning and the contributions made by Chareidi society. He cited its institutions of Torah and tefillah, extensive chessed operations, lifesaving organizations, volunteer efforts and assistance provided to families.

“This truth is what we need to bring everywhere and to every home in Israel,” he said.

Goldknopf devoted another major portion of his remarks to the agreement reached between Agudas Yisroel and Degel HaTorah ahead of the election. He said the arrangement differs in several respects from previous agreements and contains a joint commitment making the draft issue a central condition of the factions’ political cooperation.

Under the position Goldknopf outlined for future coalition negotiations, a ben yeshiva whose Toraso umnaso would be exempt from military service “without any sanctions whatsoever.”

He further announced that until the Knesset passes legislation formally regulating the status of those learning Torah, the faction will not support legislation sponsored by coalition parties, with the exception of measures specifically designated by the Gedolei Yisroel as exceptions.

Goldknopf also disclosed another significant restriction contained in the agreement: Until legislation securing the status of bnei yeshivos whose Toraso umnaso is enacted, the faction’s representatives will not serve as government ministers, deputy ministers or chairmen of Knesset committees.

The provision, according to Goldknopf’s presentation of the agreement, is intended to prevent a situation in which United Torah Judaism representatives accept senior government or parliamentary positions while the draft issue remains unresolved. He said the agreement also contains understandings regarding the Norwegian Law, rotations between representatives, and cooperation between Agudas Yisroel and Degel HaTorah.

Goldknopf additionally addressed the allocation of positions on the joint United Torah Judaism slate. He said that among slots 11 through 20, six positions will be allocated to Degel HaTorah and five to Agudas Yisroel.

Beyond the numerical division of the slate, Goldknopf said the two factions had reached understandings on issues he characterized as “fundamental and basic.” He indicated that the parties intend to work together following the election, presenting the agreement as a framework for continuing the longstanding political partnership despite the disputes and tensions that have emerged between the two factions in recent months.

Concluding his address, Goldknopf turned his attention to the election campaign and urged Agudas Yisroel activists to mobilize.

“We, with Hashem’s help, need your strength, we need your determination,” he said, calling on activists to reach “every community and every home.”

Goldknopf said current polling shows United Torah Judaism receiving approximately eight Knesset seats, but contended that polling organizations do not adequately sample several Chareidi population centers and that the party’s eventual showing could therefore be stronger. He ended by emphasizing internal unity and calling on Agudas Yisroel activists to enter the campaign united and determined.

{Matzav.com}

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According to a report by Israel’s Channel 13, efforts are underway to establish the new list with the involvement of the more extreme Yerushalmi faction, along with a number of rabbonim associated with the mainstream Chareidi community.

The party is being promoted as a political home for Chareidi draft evaders, with its central platform calling for exemptions from military service for Chareidi men who are currently considered draft evaders.

Those behind the initiative are reportedly seeking to capitalize on growing frustration among some Chareidi voters who believe that United Torah Judaism and Shas have failed to resolve the ongoing draft crisis.

The proposed party had sought to use a name or campaign theme meaning “Black Color,” but the Central Elections Committee reportedly asked organizers to avoid the phrase because of concerns that it could be considered socially offensive.

Political observers reportedly believe the new party has little chance of crossing the electoral threshold required to enter the Knesset. However, even without winning seats, the party could have a significant impact by drawing votes away from United Torah Judaism and Shas.

The organizers are expected to seek support from the Yerushalmi faction and other hardline groups that traditionally have not participated fully in national elections. Combined with Chareidi draft evaders and other voters dissatisfied with the handling of the draft issue by veteran Chareidi political leaders, those constituencies could potentially amount to tens of thousands of votes.

According to the report, highly conservative and hardline elements within the Chareidi community are behind the initiative. The effort is also said to have substantial financial backing, including millions in support from Chareidi donors in Israel and wealthy supporters abroad.

The development comes as enforcement against Chareidi draft evaders continues to intensify. Six Chareidi men who allegedly attempted to leave Israel were arrested Wednesday morning at Ben Gurion Airport. Two were apprehended in Terminal 1 and another four in Terminal 3.

The men were transferred to the Population and Immigration Authority, where authorities determined that military draft orders and civil orders preventing them from leaving the country had been issued against them.

The reported initiative is separate from another new Chareidi political movement known as “The Chareidi Public,” which has taken a markedly different position on the draft issue and supports both core-curriculum studies and military service.

Channel 13 reported last week that representatives of that party have been holding discussions with former IDF Maj. Gen. Ofer Winter about the possibility of running together. Such an arrangement would reportedly depend on polling showing that the new Chareidi movement could bring tens of thousands of additional votes to a joint slate.

Former Shas chairman Eli Yishai is reportedly being considered as a potential leader of that party, although he, too, is said to be waiting to see polling data before making a decision.

“The Chareidi Public” has also reportedly been holding discussions with Benny Gantz’s Blue and White and Gilad Erdan’s Unity Party as it explores possible alliances ahead of the election.

{Matzav.com}

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