Veteran Israeli Lawmaker Moshe Gafni Ousted as Finance Committee Chair

Moshe Gafni, a long-serving Member of Knesset and the perennial chairman of the powerful Finance Committee, has been removed from his position. Gafni, who has served in the Knesset since 1988 with brief interruptions, was considered a fixture in Israeli politics, akin to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. His removal was reportedly orchestrated by the leader of the ultra-Orthodox Degel HaTorah party, Rabbi Dov Lando, who selected MK Yaakov Asher to replace Gafni. Asher is said to be close to Rabbi Lando and influential figures within the party, including David Shapira, the grandson of the late Rabbi Aharon Leib Steinman, a former leader of Degel HaTorah.

This move comes despite the potential for ultra-Orthodox parties to be in the opposition in the upcoming Knesset term. In such a scenario, Gafni's national profile would have been a significant advantage over the lesser-known Asher. If the parties join the coalition, Asher may face the decision of whether to take a ministerial role or, like his predecessor, pursue the chairmanship of the Finance Committee.

The article suggests that Gafni's ousting, while perhaps undignified, is characteristic of internal power struggles within the Lithuanian ultra-Orthodox community, often preceded by rumors and internal maneuvering. It notes that Gafni himself had previously sought to oust his predecessor, Avraham Ravitz. The article also mentions that MK Yitzchak Pindrus might be positioning himself to challenge Asher in the future.

Gafni is described as the last remnant of the older Degel HaTorah faction, which advocated for political compromise and opposed settlements. However, he became a key supporter of the "war cabinet" coalition. The article criticizes the current leadership of Rabbis Lando and Hirsch for allegedly disconnecting the ultra-Orthodox public from the State of Israel, including parts of the right-wing public. Asher is not seen as a figure who will integrate the ultra-Orthodox community into broader Israeli society, especially under Rabbi Lando's continued influence. His political stances, including opposition to core curriculum studies and strong opposition to compromises on the draft law, are highlighted.