Degel HaTorah Ousts Veteran Lawmakers Gafni and Maklev in Late-Night Delivery

Veteran Knesset members Moshe Gafni and Uri Maklev were dramatically removed from the Degel HaTorah list late Tuesday night, ending decades of parliamentary service for the two.

The dismissal notice was reportedly delivered by a courier who arrived at Gafni's home around 12:20 AM, knocking on the door and, receiving no answer, placing the letter in the mailbox.

Yankee Farber, speaking to i24NEWS, fiercely criticized the method of dismissal, stating that the veteran lawmakers were "thrown out like dogs" instead of being called for a respectful meeting. Farber explained that the ousting was not due to any substantive criticism of their performance but stemmed from a power struggle between the factions led by Rabbi Gershon Edelstein and Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch, with the former's faction ultimately prevailing.

Farber asserted that Gafni and Maklev had always acted according to the directives of Torah leaders, making them blameless for issues such as the failure to approve a conscription law or sanctions from the legal advisor. He predicted that the manner of their dismissal and the resulting public anger could significantly harm United Torah Judaism's electoral prospects, potentially causing 50,000 to 60,000 voters to abstain from voting.

Farber dismissed speculation that these voters would shift to the Otzma Yehudit party, suggesting instead that dissatisfied voters would likely follow the principle of "it is better to sit than to act." While acknowledging Yaakov Asher, who is slated to lead the list, as a capable parliamentarian and former mayor, Farber reiterated his main criticism was directed at the disrespectful way Gafni and Maklev were removed, expressing hope that Asher's own appointment would be handled with dignity.