Lapid takes aim at ‘spoiled brat’ Goldknopf after UTJ head compares draft dodgers to hostages

Opposition Leader Yair Lapid joins a wellspring of criticism against United Torah Judaism head Yitzhak Goldknopf over comments that appeared to equate draft dodgers with hostages held in Gaza.

“Goldknopf and this whole crew have lost their minds,” Lapid writes on X, ostensibly referring to ultra-Orthodox politicians demanding exemptions from mandatory military service for their community.

“The hostages are dying, he and his Haredi deserters are a bunch of spoiled brats who think for whatever reason that they have the right to get out of serving at a time when the IDF is fighting to protect their cushy lives, supported by public funds.”

In a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday, Goldknopf set conditions for the release of Palestinian terror convicts in exchange for those held in Gaza. At the same time, he urged the premier to “immediately” free draft dodgers arrested “for the crime of studying Torah” so that they can also celebrate the upcoming Sukkot holiday with their families.