Degel HaTorah Party Readies Knesset List Amidst Leadership Shakeup

The ultra-Orthodox Degel HaTorah party is reportedly finalizing its Knesset list for the upcoming elections, a move that follows the ousting of veteran lawmakers Moshe Gafni and Uri Maklev. Despite strong opposition from some members of the Council of Torah Sages, the decision, driven by figures close to Rabbi Dov Landau, appears to be proceeding.

The new list, as currently envisioned, aims to refresh the party's representation. MK Yaakov Asher, aligned with Rabbi Landau's circle, and MK Yitzhak Pindrus, associated with Rabbi Gershon Eidelstein's household, are slated for the top two spots on the Degel HaTorah list and the first position on the joint Yahadut HaTorah list. Moshe Rosenthal, director of education for the Bnei Brak municipality, is expected to be placed fifth on the joint list.

Further down the Degel HaTorah list, Yehuda Weissfish, chairman of the Yeshiva Students Association and close to Rabbi Eidelstein's household, is positioned seventh on the joint list. Dudi Zaltz, a former aide to MK Asher and acting mayor of Beitar Illit, is slated for fifth place on the Degel HaTorah list, with his election contingent on Yahadut HaTorah joining the coalition. Other expected placements include Dovid Ohana from Tiberias in sixth place and former MK Eliyahu Brochi.

The removal of Gafni and Maklev, described as a "humiliating dismissal," was announced late at night via a WhatsApp group, citing a need for renewal. While the Council of Torah Sages' approval is still pending, and there's uncertainty whether they will be formally consulted, the party apparatus is moving forward with the new slate.