Degel HaTorah Rabbis to Decide Fate of Veteran MKs Gafni, Maklev

Degel HaTorah's rabbinical leadership is expected to make a significant decision this evening regarding the political future of its two longest-serving Knesset members, party chairman Moshe Gafni and MK Uri Maklev. Reports suggest the veteran lawmakers might be replaced by new candidates as part of a list refresh for upcoming elections. Gafni, who has served continuously in the Knesset since 1988, faces potential removal amid widespread disappointment in the Haredi public over the failure to pass a conscription exemption law. There is a sentiment that after decades in politics, Gafni and Maklev are struggling to achieve significant gains for their constituents.

Intense discussions have been held in recent weeks among the party's leading rabbis, including Rabbi Dov Landau and Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch, concerning the composition of the new list. Concurrently, Yaakov Asher, a former mayor of Bnei Brak, has emerged as a leading candidate to potentially replace Gafni. Asher is known for his assertive stance on conscription and has previously indicated that Haredi parties are not automatically bound to the right-wing bloc, even issuing sharp warnings to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Moshe Gafni himself has appeared aware of shifts within the Haredi political landscape, commenting on the decline of other parties and stating, "There is a judge and there is a judgment." He has also reportedly been exploring new political possibilities, including discussions about the possibility of United Torah Judaism joining a non-right-wing government. Gafni has been quoted discussing the perceived high price the Haredi public pays.

Beyond Asher, other potential candidates for the Degel HaTorah list include Menachem Shapira, deputy mayor of Bnei Brak; Yaakov Guterman, mayor of Modi'in Illit; Lazar Rauchenberger, deputy mayor of Jerusalem; and Micha Alper, chairman of Degel HaTorah's faction in Haifa. A final decision on the candidates is anticipated by the end of the week. Separately, recent meetings between Degel HaTorah representatives and factions of the Jerusalem Faction discussed the possibility of forming a new Haredi party, though this was reportedly rejected in favor of supporting the existing United Torah Judaism.

The decision made by Degel HaTorah is poised to reshape the Haredi political map ahead of the next elections and could influence the balance of power between Haredi parties and the right-wing bloc.