Gur Hasidic Dynasty Pressures Netanyahu, Demands Draft Guarantees

United Torah Judaism does not deny contacts with the change bloc, though its members of parliament rarely address the matter publicly. On Monday morning, the Gur Hasidic dynasty openly expressed its anger toward Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and its openness to joining a coalition that would secure draft exemptions for ultra-Orthodox youth.

Yitzhak Goldknopf, the dynasty's emissary in the Knesset, is among the prominent figures within the ultra-Orthodox factions pushing for a government led by Gadi Eisenkot. In an editorial published by the Gur daily Hamodia, the party explained that United Torah Judaism refrained from recommending a candidate to form a government, unlike other parties, due to the ongoing crisis surrounding seminary students.

The editorial stressed that sitting in the government is not an end in itself, and that the ultimate test is the administration's ability to guarantee the continuation of Torah study and the status of yeshiva students. "United Torah Judaism cannot settle for merely a written and signed commitment, as past experience has proven it holds no validity," the article stated, adding that "appropriate guarantees" are now required to ensure implementation.

Under the headline "When There Is No Choice, There Is No Choice," the newspaper wrote: "We too would have been very happy had there been no dilemma, and our loyal allegiance remained with the faith-based bloc we have walked with for many long years." The editorial pointedly remarked that the faction feels persecuted and demands tangible assurances beyond standard coalition agreements, venting frustration at Netanyahu for failing to fulfill ultra-Orthodox expectations.