Yaakov Asher to Lead United Torah Judaism Party, Gafni and Maklev Out

Sources within the United Torah Judaism party have informed N12 that MK Yaakov Asher is slated to become the party's chairman. Concurrently, MKs Moshe Gafni and Uri Maklev will not be included in the party's list for the upcoming elections.

Asher, who has advocated a hawkish stance against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the partnership with the right-wing bloc, previously served as the chairman of the Knesset's Interior Committee. He issued an ultimatum in May regarding the passage of a law exempting yeshiva students from military conscription, stating that the party could not remain in a government that failed to pass such legislation, which he deemed crucial for the Jewish people.

Moshe Gafni, the longest-serving Knesset member in the party, has been a member of parliament since 1988, serving in roles such as Deputy Minister of Religious Services and Chairman of the Knesset Finance Committee. His exclusion marks the end of a 38-year parliamentary career.

Uri Maklev will also not be on the party's list for the next Knesset. Asher had previously warned that if the Likud party did not pass the law to regulate the status of Torah students, it would effectively push United Torah Judaism out of the right-wing bloc.