Top Haredi Politician Moshe Gafni Ousted From Party List

A dramatic upheaval has occurred within the Degel HaTorah party, a key component of the United Torah Judaism list. Late Saturday night, around 12:20 AM, a messenger from Rabbi Gershon Edelstein's household delivered a letter to the home of party chairman MK Moshe Gafni, informing him of his removal from the party's electoral slate. MK Uri Makleb was also informed of his dismissal via a similar letter.

The messenger reportedly knocked on Gafni's door but received no answer, subsequently placing the letter in his mailbox. Approximately five minutes later, an official announcement regarding Rabbi Edelstein's decision was released to the press. The letter expressed appreciation for Gafni and Makleb's long-standing service but cited a desire to refresh the party's ranks as the reason for their replacement.

Political considerations also played a role. Operatives presented an assessment to the rabbis suggesting that Gafni's continued leadership at the top of the Degel HaTorah list could potentially cost the United Torah Judaism list votes in the upcoming elections. This argument was reportedly a significant factor in the rabbis' decision to seek a change in the party's top two Knesset positions.

Sources within Degel HaTorah expressed dismay at the manner in which the decision was communicated. "Even if the decision was made by the great rabbis of Israel, the way things were done is shameful," one source stated. "After decades in which Gafni and Makleb dedicated themselves to the movement's mission, it would have been appropriate for this to be done with the respect they deserve, not through a letter left in a mailbox in the middle of the night."

Another insider echoed these sentiments, saying, "One can decide to refresh, one can replace representatives, but there is a way to do it. Gafni is not someone who arrived yesterday. He has served for decades and fulfilled his mission faithfully. The way he was informed of the end of his Knesset tenure causes a strong sense of insult."