Edelstein: “Moti Babchik Warned Me They Were Playing Me — and He Was Right”

In his first interview since being removed from his position as chairman of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Likud MK Yuli Edelstein revealed behind-the-scenes conversations he had with chareidi politicians, offering a candid look at his failed efforts to broker a compromise on the controversial Giyus (draft) law.

Edelstein said that while he had hoped to reach a workable agreement with Degel HaTorah and Shas, senior Agudas Yisroel figure Moti Babchik cautioned him not to be naïve.

“I thought a compromise could be reached,” Edelstein said. “But a well-known figure in the Gerer chassidus, Moti Babchik, always warned me that they’re stringing you along — and when the moment of truth comes, even the things they claim they’ll get approval for from the rabbonim won’t happen, won’t pass, and they won’t agree to anything.”

Edelstein admitted that Babchik’s warning proved true. “I always told him, ‘You know me. We’ll reach understandings and find common ground.’ But I know how to admit when I’m wrong — and in the end, he was right.”

Turning his focus to the broader political picture, Edelstein declared, “There will never be a draft law as long as the chareidim are in the coalition.” He added, “I kept quiet because I wanted to see what would happen. Maybe I was mistaken, too.”

Edelstein further contended that “people thought that once I’m gone, everything will be solved. But the problem is objective — the askanim of the chareidi community don’t truly want to enlist. Reservists still thank me today for preventing the passage of a draft-dodging law.”

He didn’t spare criticism of his own party and leadership, either. “In the Likud today, anyone who dares to speak up is pushed aside. There was only one such case so far — mine. It’s a terrible change in the balance between the Knesset and the government. The Knesset exists to provide oversight,” he said.

Edelstein added that he was not surprised by his ouster. “I always knew there was a chance they’d say I’m the obstacle. The move didn’t shock me. In the current Likud faction, no one makes a move without Netanyahu’s approval. If the chareidim agree to a law, it will be a law of draft evasion.”

{Matzav.com}