Degel HaTorah Considers Replacing Veteran Lawmakers on Election List

The Israeli political party Degel HaTorah is reportedly considering adding several younger candidates to its upcoming election list, according to sources speaking to Ynet on Wednesday, September 2. The matter is being discussed by prominent rabbis within the party.

Potential changes to the parliamentary faction could see veteran politicians Moshe Gafni and Uri Maklev excluded from the list. Sources suggest they may be held responsible for the party's failure to pass a law exempting yeshiva students from military conscription, a move that has disappointed the Orthodox sector, and for not preventing sanctions, including financial penalties, against draft dodgers.

Among the potential new candidates being considered are Menachem Shapira, deputy mayor of Bnei Brak; Yaakov Guterman, head of the Modiin Illit council; Lazar Rauchberger, deputy mayor of Jerusalem; and Micha Alper, head of the Degel HaTorah faction in Haifa. Other candidates are also reportedly under review.

Moshe Gafni recently met with Rabbi Eliezer Pilz, a member of the Council of Torah Sages and head of the 'Tiferet Tzvi' yeshiva, who thanked Gafni for his work for the community. Despite the discussions, some within the ultra-Orthodox community believe Gafni, appointed by the late spiritual leader Rabbi Schach, will not be replaced at this time.

Degel HaTorah declined to comment on the report. Moshe Gafni, born in 1952, has served in the Knesset since 1988 and previously chaired the Knesset's Finance Committee.