Cabinet member and minister Ze’ev Elkin said that threats by chareidi parties to block the state budget over the draft law would ultimately harm the chareidi public more than anyone else, during a wide-ranging interview with Kikar HaShabbat.
In a comprehensive conversation with journalist Yishai Cohen, Elkin addressed a series of security and political issues, including violations of the ceasefire in Gaza and the serious wounding of an IDF officer, tensions with Iran and the possibility of a wider conflict, the battle over the draft law and the status of yeshiva students, and concerns that Agudas Yisrael could derail the legislation and destabilize the budget.
Elkin opened by responding to the ceasefire violation in Gaza and the severe injury sustained by an IDF officer. “He was wounded during an operation, which shows that activity is continuing all the time, and it is clear that this is a violation of the ceasefire. For every such violation, we exact a significant price from Hamas, both by eliminating senior operatives and by dismantling infrastructure as they try to rebuild,” he said.
Addressing the reopening of the Rafah crossing for the first time since the surprise Hamas attack on Simchas Torah, Elkin explained, “Opening the crossing was part of the plan. I cannot accept a situation where people say they support Trump’s plan and then start qualifying it. It is written clearly in the plan. Why wasn’t it opened earlier this week? Because Hamas did not meet all the conditions, and we insisted that until the fallen hostage is returned to us, the crossing would not be opened.”
Elkin also spoke about moving to the next phase of the campaign in Gaza and the dismantling of Hamas’ military capabilities. “I am glad that Trump says this in every speech. They understand that nothing can be done in the Gaza Strip without Hamas being disarmed. I do not believe Hamas will change its nature and disarm, and I also do not believe an international force will be found that is willing to endanger its soldiers against Hamas. That means that sooner or later Israel will have to return to fighting in Gaza and finish the job. Trump knows this as well,” he said.
On the growing tension with Iran, Elkin urged restraint in public rhetoric. “On the Iranian issue, all the talk is unnecessary and only harmful. There is a process being led by the United States. If there is a need, and certainly if we are attacked, the State of Israel will know how to defend itself and strike Iran. Right now, we need to let the United States go through its process,” he said.
Turning to the draft law, Elkin argued that change is unavoidable and that chareidi leadership must recognize this reality. “I think the situation has to change, and the chareidi leadership must understand that. There has to be enlistment among the chareidi community as well. How do you do it? Through legislation that creates both positive and negative incentives, and at the same time through chareidi leadership itself. When this stops being a culture war, there is a chance it can work,” he said.
Elkin, who previously led negotiations on the draft law, warned that Agudas Yisrael is now putting the legislation at risk. “I am afraid that this time as well, just like in previous cases — I have been involved with the draft issue since 2012 — I have seen again and again proposals placed on the table that part of the chareidi leadership was prepared to accept, while another part radicalized and said no. Years later, they told me in closed conversations, ‘It’s a shame we didn’t accept it then, we regret it.’ This mistake repeats itself time and again,” he said.
He continued, “I am concerned that this time too, the insistence of Agudas Yisrael will bring down the law and will also harm the chareidi public itself. A majority will not be achieved because of Agudas Yisrael. According to my count, this entire law is hanging by a single vote because of Agudas Yisrael. There is therefore a real risk that a majority will not be reached. That can absolutely happen, and Agudas Yisrael will only have itself to blame. If they go headfirst into a wall, they will hit a wall. What is happening now is exactly that — they are going headfirst into a wall and leading a line of opposition to the law.”
Elkin also addressed threats by Shas and Degel HaTorah not to support the state budget if the draft law does not pass its second and third readings. “I think they are wrong. They are making a big mistake. What will happen if the draft law gets stuck and does not pass, and the budget is not approved? Who are they punishing? Clearly the state will be harmed, but which public will feel it the most? The chareidi public. So what is the logic? To say that we will harm our own public in order to blame others,” he said.
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Matzav.com}
