Yitzhak Goldknopf

From yellow badges to ‘extermination ovens’: Toxic rhetoric of haredi draft protests - editorial

The latest affront occurred on Sunday when UTJ chairperson Yitzhak Goldknopf compared enforcing yeshiva students’ conscription to “placing a yellow badge on them.”

Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) protesters gather in Mea She'arim, Jerusalem, to celebrate draft dodgers' release from miiltary prison, November 30, 2025; illustrative.
Former prime minister Naftali Bennett and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid hold a joint press conference at the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem on June 20, 2022.

Bennett pushes for billions of shekels to be redirected to reservists over draft dodgers

Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) protesters gather in Mea She'arim, Jerusalem, to celebrate draft dodgers' release from miiltary prison, November 30, 2025; illustrative.

Goldknopf likens sanctions on haredi draft dodgers to placing 'yellow badge' on them at the Knesset

Supreme Court justices preside over a hearing at the High Court of Justice in Jerusalem, December 1, 2025

High Court to hear two cases blocking haredi education funds amid legal disputes


Ultra-Orthodox leaders give haredi factions green light to advance IDF draft bill

The past week has seen violence from within the haredi community from extremists who are against a law that would require army enlistment from members of the community.

 Rabbi Dov Lando seen during a meeting to discuss the drafting of ultra-Orthodox jews to the IDF in the ultra-Orthodox city of Bnei Brak, April 5, 2024.

'Disgraceful': Goldknopf slammed for comparing arrested haredi draft dodgers to hostages

Goldknopf’s remarks come amid controversy in the country over the issue of haredi conscription, as the IDF continues to report severe manpower shortages while Israel enters its second year of war.

 Yitzhak Goldknopf at a United Torah Judaism meeting at the Knesset, Jerusalem, May 19, 2025.

Haim Katz appointed as permanent housing minister, replacing haredi party UTJ’s Goldknopf

Following the vote, Katz stated, “I thank the prime minister for his trust and the members of the government for their support.”

Tourism minister Haim Katz attends a Finance committee meeting, in the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem on December 9, 2024.

Ultra-Orthodox MK Goldknopf asks Netanyahu to finance Chabad's trip to New York

This comes after the Breslov hassidim received a framework that allows for NIS 10 million to be used in their Rosh Hashanah pilgrimages to Uman, Ukraine.

 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Construction and Housing Minister Yitzhak Goldknopf seen in Jerusalem, September 27, 2023

Goldknopf: Haredim will leave Israel if 'there is no choice' in IDF enlistment

"The Haredim will not change their way of life because there is an army and a war. There is an army, and there are people who will join it," said Goldknopf.

 Yitzhak Goldknopf at the Knesset on March 3, 2025.

'We failed, made a mistake' on judicial reform, haredi draft bill deal, UTJ's Goldknopf says

UTJ was told to support the judicial reform as it would allow for a "basic law of Torah study," and another law as an override clause, Yitzhak Goldknopf claimed in an interview with Kikar HaShabbat.

 Yitzhak Goldknopf at a United Torah Judaism meeting at the Knesset, Jerusalem, May 19, 2025.

Haredi parties ramp up pressure after Edelstein IDF draft bill delayed

The boycott marked an uptick in the haredi parties’ pressure campaign, as they had previously refrained from boycotting the plenum on Monday.

 Committee Chairman Yuli Edelstein leads a Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem on May 8, 2025.

Ultra-Orthodox minister resigns from Israeli gov't over IDF draft law debacle

In a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday, Goldknopf outlined the series of delays and setbacks that prevented the bill from proceeding.

 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Construction and Housing Minister Yitzhak Goldknopf seen in Jerusalem, September 27, 2023

Haredi minister pushing for bill to disperse Knesset, take Israel to elections

According to Israeli law, if a bill to disperse the Knesset passes, an election is automatically called and must occur within 90 days.

 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Construction and Housing Minister Yitzhak Goldknopf seen in Jerusalem, September 27, 2023

If Netanyahu cares about the will of the people, he must fire Goldknopf - editorial

Recent events have made it undeniably clear that Construction and Housing Minister Yitzhak Goldknopf is unfit for any government role.

 UTJ leader and Construction and Housing Minister Yitzhak Goldknopf is seen at a Knesset committee meeting in Jerusalem, on July 10, 2023.

Yitzhak Goldknopf filmed dancing to anti-Zionist Neturei Karta anthem, sparks outrage

Goldknopf apologizes after being filmed dancing to an anti-Zionist song at a wedding, sparking outrage from Israeli leaders and calls for him to leave the government.

 Israeli Construction and Housing Minister Yitzhak Goldknopf is seen at an Education, Culture, and Sports Committee meeting at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, Israel, on June 19, 2023.