Degel HaTorah Power Struggle: Top Leaders Face Ouster Amid Internal Rift

Internal power struggles are brewing within the Degel HaTorah political party, with reports emerging that a key figure, activist David Shapira, is attempting to orchestrate the removal of party chairman Moshe Gafni and Knesset member Uri Maklev. Sources within the party told Channel 13 News on Wednesday that Shapira, described as the "strongman" of Degel HaTorah and owner of the Yated Ne'eman newspaper, is leading this move in consultation with rabbinical leaders Dov Landau and Moshe Hillel Hirsch. It remains uncertain if Shapira's efforts will succeed, but it is anticipated that Knesset members Pinchas and Yaakov Asher will retain their positions.

These internal maneuvers come shortly after a significant policy shift within Degel HaTorah was revealed. The party is reportedly planning to demand ministerial positions in the upcoming government, a departure from its long-standing practice of avoiding such roles due to a perceived minority status. This strategic change was reportedly decided upon by Rabbi Dov Landau, a leading figure in the Lithuanian ultra-Orthodox community, who instructed the party to seek either the Education or Construction and Housing ministries.

Sources critical of Shapira's actions dismissed his influence as "pathetic" and accused his faction of being willing to "sell everything for a mess of pottage, politically and economically." They further alleged that these moves are intended solely "to sow destruction," citing the alleged welcoming of a strong opponent by Shapira's group, presumably for personal gain. This internal conflict and the party's new demands for ministerial portfolios are expected to significantly alter the balance of power within the Haredi political sector, where previously only the Agudat Yisrael party held government offices.