On Thursday, Israeli Minister of Construction and Housing Yitzchok Goldknopf, MK from Yahadut HaTorah, held a meeting with family members of several hostages—specifically relatives from the Ohel, Hayman, and Chen families—as well as former hostage Sasha Troufanov.
During the conversation, Minister Goldknopf reiterated his backing for any efforts to secure the hostages’ freedom. “As I have proven to this day, not only in words but also in actions, I will support any deal brought to the government table that will lead to the release of our abducted sons and daughters.”
He also described his encounters with individuals who had survived captivity at the hands of Hamas. “I met and spoke with survivors of captivity who returned from the tunnels of the Hamas murderers, and I heard horrifying stories.”
The meeting took place as tensions remain high between United Torah Judaism and Prime Minister Netanyahu due to dissatisfaction over delays in passing the Draft Law in a manner acceptable to the chareidi parties. In a subtle but pointed remark, Goldknopf referenced inconsistent reports from the Prime Minister, his wife, and the President of the United States regarding the number of surviving hostages. “I am not in the Cabinet like other ministers, and it troubles me that the discussion revolves around numbers—first 24, then 21—as if these are not human lives. The important number is 59 hostages who need to return home to their families, and the dead who need a proper Jewish burial,” he stated.
Weighing in on the ongoing national debate about what should define the war’s core objective, Goldknopf brought a halachic lens to the conversation, emphasizing that saving lives takes precedence above all else. “I saw there is a debate about the war’s ultimate goal. Halacha establishes that the value of redeeming captives and preserving life is supreme, even overriding Shabbos,” he said.
He concluded with a firm declaration that the country must not tolerate its citizens being held underground by terrorists. “Just as Israel cannot live with Hamas on its border, it cannot live with its citizens and soldiers held beyond its border in the tunnels of murderers,” said Goldknopf.
{Matzav.com Israel}
Seems like UTJ is angling to be able to join a coalition with the left wing parties after the next elections.
They are banking on the hope that all the left wing talk about drafting Yeshiva Bochurim will quickly be out the window if they are coalition partners
The goal is moshiach energy