Until the recruitment crisis broke out, Moti Babchik, MK Yitzhak Goldknopf's chief of staff, was one of the Haredi figures closest to the Netanyahus. But today (Friday), In an interview with Amir Ettinger in Yedioth Ahronoth, He sharply attacks the prime minister, claims that Netanyahu disdains the Haredim and lies to them, and does not rule out the possibility that the Haredim will form a government with the opposing bloc after the elections.
Babchik claims that the crisis was not born today or yesterday. "We have been in crisis since the beginning of the government's term," he says. "We are constantly being told stories. Sometimes it's the 2023 budget, sometimes it's the reform and Yariv Levin who promised us that it would be over - the overcoming clause on one shoulder and the Basic Law on Torah Study on the other. Every time something different. That's why our generation's great men decided that a verse should be put to an end. You go with someone and have trust in them, until eventually the trust expires. I have no trust in Netanyahu.".
Babchick's comments in the interview are, in his view, a serious indictment of Netanyahu. "I don't think the situation of the Haredi public has ever been this bad. At least I don't remember," he says, claiming that Netanyahu has not kept his promises. These are, by the way, issues that the legal advisor is addressing - not the prime minister.
"Is the Haredi public in Netanyahu's pocket?" he was asked.
""If it's going this way, I can understand why Netanyahu thinks that way.".
You won't go with Netanyahu anymore?
""We'll see what the election results will be. I don't decide, but the Rebbe and the great men of our generation. But we will no longer sign letters of allegiance to Netanyahu and his bloc. We were the first to sign. It could have been a mistake. Netanyahu stands with Trump and makes speeches about security and the Land of Israel, and forgets that he has a government thanks to us. Netanyahu has one Haredi leg, and he is disrespecting it. If Netanyahu doesn't win, I don't think the Haredi will go with him to the opposition again.".
But what will you get in the opposing bloc? You hear them: They won't be able to give you a better conscription law.
""I don't deny that the Haredi public is right-wing, but we are constantly told that in the left bloc we will receive more.
When was the last time you spoke with Netanyahu?
""It was the night of the attack in Iran. He asked that we not dissolve the government on the basis of the conscription law, and I conveyed the message to the Rebbe of Gur.".
On Kan 11, a recording was published of Finance Minister Smotrich calling Netanyahu a "liar, son of a liar." Do you agree with him?
""Who am I to deny Smotrich? Everyone sees that Netanyahu is lying to the Haredi public. The public feels cheated.".
Why don't Deg HaTorah and Shas think like you do regarding the conscription law?
""The Haredi public is 18 seats, it can bring down a government. That's why we kept saying: 'Let's be together, let's be stubborn,' because Netanyahu only understands pressure. It's not my job to explain them, but the Rebbe of Gur understood that we are being deceived all the time.".
Netanyahu managed to convince Degel Hatorah and Shas that if there is no budget, it will harm the Haredi public and your coalition finances. So why are you not willing to vote in favor of the budget?
""I don't buy it. There are funds that were already stopped because of the Ombudsman, and for the leftovers, we don't think we should vote in favor of the budget.".
But Netanyahu managed to isolate you and even split Agudat Yisrael. You failed to harness the others to dissolve the government, and if the conscription law passes, then you have failed altogether. The Torah banner is being briefed that if you vote against it, they will consider splitting from you in the elections.
""I don't think we failed. We stand by our principles. The public understands that he sent us for this. I was at a Gur Hasidic wedding this week with tens of thousands of people and I didn't feel that the Gur Rebbe was isolated. I don't know of any official appeal by Degel HaTorah to split. We have been walking together for many years and I think that should continue.".
In conversations that took place in recent days, Netanyahu wondered to the Haredim why they were blaming him and punishing the coalition, since those to blame for the crisis were the Knesset's legal counsel, the legal advisor to the government, and the High Court of Justice. Babchik does not accept this claim: "If a person cannot get the car moving, then either the driver or the vehicle should be replaced.".
If the draft law doesn't pass in the end, who is to blame? The High Court and the Attorney General or Deri, Gafni and Atias?
""Everyone together.".
What do you say to a bereaved mother, to the mother of a kidnapped child, to a soldier returning from battle when you are not taking part in the war effort and when the army needs more soldiers?
""We believe that those who sit and study Torah protect the people of Israel. The people of Israel have always had the tribe of Levi and those who fight.".
October 7th didn't change anything in your perception?
""There have always been wars. The Six-Day War and Yom Kippur and all the other wars. Since the establishment of the state, there have been those who sat down and learned. What happened for 77 years can continue for another 77 years.".
Likud in response to the interview: "The Haredi public is an organic part of the national camp, a natural partner to the right-wing governments led by Prime Minister Netanyahu, and no politician will be able to change this.
""Regarding Moti Babchik, we do not judge a person in his hour of sorrow and wish him well on his path.".
To read the full interview - Click here
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