Degel HaTorah Ousts Veteran Lawmakers Moshe Gafni, Uri Maklev in Overnight Shakeup

Degel HaTorah, a prominent Lithuanian ultra-Orthodox political party, has removed veteran Knesset members Moshe Gafni and Uri Maklev from its slate for the upcoming elections. The decision, announced overnight by Rabbi Dov Lando, one of the party's two leaders, was reportedly made to refresh the party's list and bring in new representatives. Gafni, who served as chairman, will be replaced by MK Yaakov Asher, who will also chair the joint list of Degel HaTorah and Agudat Yisrael.

In personal letters to Gafni and Maklev, Rabbi Lando thanked them for their service, particularly their efforts in defending the status of yeshiva students, but stated the need for renewal within the Knesset faction. Gafni was also asked to continue as chairman of the national movement. Despite the official explanation, sources close to the ousted lawmakers described their removal as a shock, stating they had received assurances that the list would remain unchanged, viewing the decision as a deceptive maneuver.

The shakeup is reportedly influenced by David Shapira, the grandson of the late Rabbi Stei­nman, a former leader of Degel HaTorah. Shapira has allegedly consolidated power within Rabbi Lando's household and, with the backing of an American financier who acquired shares in the party's newspaper, Yated Ne'eman, has pushed for Gafni and Maklev's removal. Initially, the other party leader, Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch, resisted the move, reportedly calling the ouster "bloodshed," but he has since withdrawn his opposition.

The manner of the dismissals has drawn widespread criticism within the ultra-Orthodox community, with commentators decrying the "ugly" and "disgraceful" way veteran representatives were treated. Critics argue the move centralizes power with activists like Shapira at the expense of the rabbinical leadership, likening the situation to the internal dynamics of the Shas party. Some have also drawn parallels to past political dismissals, suggesting a lack of respect for long-serving officials.