Gafni and Maklev Ousted From Degel HaTorah Party Amid Internal Power Struggle

Members of Knesset Moshe Gafni and Uri Maklev were removed from the Degel HaTorah party on Sunday night, according to a statement from the home of Lithuanian Rabbi Dov Lando. Party activists are reportedly angered by the manner of the ouster, which they perceive as deeply disrespectful to the veteran lawmakers who had recently attempted to resist the move.

The decision effectively promotes Yaakov Asher, who is close to Rabbi Lando, to lead the party. Following this development, political activist David Shapira is set to become the primary controlling figure within Degel HaTorah. Shapira, the grandson of Rabbi Steinman, regains prominence after his influence waned following his grandfather's passing, becoming the party's unofficial leader. He also holds significant sway over the party's newspaper, "Yated Ne'eman."

Sources indicate that Gafni's attempts to exert influence were entirely unsuccessful, and he found himself cut off from Lithuanian rabbinical circles in recent days. An indirect effort to influence Rabbi Hirsch and secure a letter from the Council of Torah Sages opposing the removal also failed.

In a last-minute effort, thousands of leaflets signed by "Young Degel HaTorah" activists were distributed in Bnei Brak over the weekend, protesting the ouster. The article also briefly mentions the rival religious-nationalist party "Noam L'Yisrael," led by Avi Maoz, which is reportedly attempting to attract disillusioned voters from the Shas and United Torah Judaism parties in the upcoming elections by establishing campaign offices for various Haredi subgroups and operating a dedicated hotline.