Top Rabbi Orders Veteran Lawmakers Gafni and Makleb Out of Knesset

Rabbi Dov Landau, a leading figure among Lithuanian ultra-Orthodox Jews, has officially informed Knesset members Moshe Gafni and Uri Makleb that they will not be included in the upcoming elections list for the Degel HaTorah party. In personal letters sent to both lawmakers, Rabbi Landau expressed gratitude for their years of service but stated that a "refreshment" of the Knesset contingent is necessary, necessitating their departure to make way for new representatives.

Gafni, who has served in the Knesset for 38 years, was asked by Rabbi Landau to continue as the national chairman of the Degel HaTorah movement. The decision, announced on Saturday evening, follows recent efforts by Gafni and Makleb to contest their removal from the party's list.

Sources within the political establishment suggest that party activist David Shapira may be behind the move to replace Gafni and Makleb, with MK Yaakov Asher expected to lead Degel HaTorah in Gafni's place. Some in the Haredi political sphere indicated that the need for change stems from concerns about voter turnout, emphasizing the urgency of presenting new leadership to motivate voters.

The leadership of the Lithuanian ultra-Orthodox community is reportedly considering integrating new figures into the national political leadership, potentially including senior officials from local government and public service.