Housing Minister and United Torah Judaism chairman Yitzchok Goldknopf revealed Wednesday night that he sought the position of deputy prime minister during coalition negotiations after the last election, but claimed that Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s wife, Sara Netanyahu, strongly opposed the move and prevented it from happening.
Speaking at the second educational conference in Beit Shemesh, led by Mayor Shmuel Greenberg and Deputy Mayor Itzik Elmalih, Goldknopf shared unusual details from the coalition talks and described efforts by the chareidi parties to secure legislation exempting yeshiva students from military service.
Goldknopf said the Gerrer Rebbe instructed United Torah Judaism representatives to insist during negotiations that Netanyahu pass a draft exemption law.
“We wanted what existed until now to continue,” Goldknopf said. “A yeshiva student comes with a note to his rosh yeshiva, gets it signed, receives approval, and continues learning.”
He added that, as part of the coalition demands, he requested appointment as deputy prime minister.
“The Rebbe of Gur told me to demand the position of deputy prime minister.”
According to Goldknopf, Sara Netanyahu unexpectedly intervened during the discussion with the prime minister and objected to the request.
“When I said this to Bibi, his wife jumped in and said, ‘You’re going to give them a deputy prime minister? Have you gone crazy?’”
Goldknopf said that afterward, alternative positions were offered to him, including what he described as a “double ministry,” but he saw no reason to accept additional titles or benefits.
“I told him, ‘What am I going to do with that? I don’t need more assistants or more rooms.’”
According to Goldknopf, Netanyahu then tried convincing him to accept the Housing Ministry portfolio so he could maintain close and ongoing contact with the Prime Minister’s Office and continue advancing the draft law issue.
“He told me, ‘You’ll be in my building, you’ll constantly be able to remind me that we need to act on the draft issue. You have a free pass — you can come here whenever you want.’”
Goldknopf stressed that throughout the entire period, he continued raising the issue of the draft law directly with Netanyahu.
“There wasn’t a single week that I didn’t put this issue on the table.”
{Matzav.com}
