Top Haredi political adviser meets Gantz in Knesset, amid threats to bolt coalition

By Sam Sokol 3 June 2025, 5:34 pm

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Sam Sokol is a former political correspondent at The Times of Israel. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"

Then-housing minister Yitzchak Goldknopf, right, and his senior adviser Motti Babchik arrive at the United Torah Judaism faction meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem, February 17, 2025. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

Amid Haredi threats to bolt the coalition, National Unity chairman Benny Gantz of the opposition meets with Motti Babchik, a senior adviser to Housing Minister Yitzhak Goldknopf, the head of the ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism party.

A source with knowledge of the meeting tells The Times of Israel that the pair “discussed ongoing efforts to disperse the Knesset.”

Babchik, a prominent member of the Gur Hasidic group, carries significant influence in ultra-Orthodox circles. He was previously an aide to then-UTJ chief Yaakov Litzman.

Last year, Channel 12 reported that Gantz and Babchik had held a previous meeting as part of the former’s efforts to cultivate political relationships with the ultra-Orthodox.