Gafni Claims Treasury Officials Threatened Him Over Support for Local Councils

Member of Knesset Moshe Gafni, chairman of the Degel HaTorah party, revealed on Thursday that Treasury officials had threatened to freeze funds for yeshivas and the Torah world if he supported regional councils and agriculture. Gafni made these remarks during a meeting of regional council leaders with party leaders, held at the Center for Regional Government ahead of the upcoming elections.

Speaking to local authority and working settlement leaders, Gafni emphasized his long-standing commitment to the regional and agricultural sectors, while leveling harsh criticism at the professional echelon of the Treasury. "They never bought me off with sectoral interests, and don't make any mistake," Gafni declared. "There were many times that Treasury officials directly threatened me that if I supported the regional councils, agriculture, and issues important to you, they would freeze funds for yeshivas and the Torah world. I stood up to them, I did not surrender then, and no one should think I will surrender in the future."

Gafni added that he sees paramount importance in strengthening the periphery and settlement, and pledged to continue being a point of contact for local authority leaders. "I have always supported you and will continue to assist you with all my might. The regional councils and Israeli agriculture are a critical and central pillar of Israel's resilience. The next government must prioritize strengthening regional governance and advancing real reforms that will provide the councils with the full tools and resources they need to function, and I will be there to ensure it happens."