Goldknopf: "Deaths of religious IDF soldiers are not my problem"

In a contentious statement that has ignited fierce debate, Yitzhak Goldknopf, a prominent ultra-Orthodox Israeli leader, brushed off concerns about the broader societal impact of his community’s refusal to serve in the military. When confronted about religious soldiers losing their lives and others unable to observe Jewish customs due to manpower shortages, Goldknopf’s response was stark and unyielding: “Don’t bring me your pains and pass them on to me. Let’s decide that everybody has their own burden.”

The remarks come amid ongoing tensions over the exemption of ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) men from mandatory military service, a decades-long issue in Israel. The country’s conscription laws require most citizens to serve, but Haredi men studying in yeshivas have historically been granted deferrals, a policy that has drawn increasing criticism as Israel faces security challenges and manpower strains, particularly in the ongoing conflict with Hamas and rising tensions with Hezbollah.

Goldknopf’s dismissal of shared responsibility has understandably fueled accusations of insensitivity, especially as the military struggles to maintain operational strength. Families of fallen soldiers and reservists, who often bear the brunt of extended service, expressed outrage on social media platforms like X, with posts such as “Haredim dodge the draft while our kids die” gaining traction. Critics argue that the exemptions exacerbate inequalities, leaving religious and secular Israelis to shoulder the burden of defense while Haredi communities focus on Torah study.

Supporters of Goldknopf, however, defend his stance, arguing that the Haredi community’s spiritual contributions through study and prayer are vital to Israel’s survival. “The Torah protects us as much as the IDF,” one X user posted, echoing sentiments within ultra-Orthodox circles. (Note: Goldknopf himself never said anything like that.) Yet, the growing death toll has intensified calls for universal conscription.

Do these disgraceful comments represent the Haredi community? Do they truly not care about the sacrifice others are making so they can enjoy the privilege of living in Israel? And given the current political tensions, the schisms between the national religious and Haredi worlds, and the fury from the secular towards the Haredi world, not to mention the growing deaths of young IDF soldiers, what was going through Goldknopf's head when he said that?