United Torah Judaism Party Set for Leadership Shakeup, Key Figures Out

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

Moshe Gafni, a veteran lawmaker who has served in the Knesset since 1988, will not be placed on the party's electoral slate. Gafni's tenure includes roles such as Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs and chairman of the Knesset Finance Committee. His exclusion marks the end of a 38-year parliamentary career.

Earlier this year, Asher issued an ultimatum regarding the passage of a law exempting yeshiva students from military conscription. He stated that if the law did not pass during that Knesset session, it would be difficult for the party to remain in the government. Asher emphasized that his party could not be part of a government that would render Torah students "criminals" by not regulating their status. He expressed doubt about remaining in a coalition that fails to pass such a crucial law for the Jewish people.

Asher also warned that if the Likud party does not pass the law to regulate the status of Torah students, it would effectively push United Torah Judaism out of the right-wing bloc, calling it a potential "disaster."