Key Figures Moshe Gafni, Uri Maklev to Exit Knesset; Yaakov Asher Tapped for Leadership

A significant leadership shift is underway within the United Torah Judaism party, with prominent figures Moshe Gafni and Uri Maklev reportedly set to leave the Knesset. Sources within the party indicate that MK Yaakov Asher is expected to be appointed as the new chairman.

Rabbi David Landau, a leading figure in the Lithuanian Haredi community, personally contacted Gafni and Maklev, thanking them for their service, particularly their efforts in advocating for yeshiva students. The decision to replace them stems from a need for renewal within the party's Knesset delegation, paving the way for new representatives.

Gafni, who has served as a Member of Knesset since 1988, has been a dominant force in the party for 38 years, holding a record for tenure alongside Benjamin Netanyahu and Aryeh Deri. His potential departure marks the end of an era. He has been asked by Rabbi Landau to continue serving as the national chairman of the Degel HaTorah movement.

Yaakov Asher, 61, a Member of Knesset for Degel HaTorah, the Lithuanian faction of United Torah Judaism, is considered a prominent parliamentarian. He previously served as the mayor of Bnei Brak from 2008 to 2013 and was first elected to the Knesset in 2013. Asher has chaired key Knesset committees, including the Constitution, Law, and Justice Committee. His potential appointment as chairman signifies a generational transition for the party, moving from Gafni's long-standing leadership to a new generation.