Key Rabbis Refuse to Oust Gafni, Maklev from Degel HaTorah Party
In a significant internal political development within the ultra-Orthodox Degel HaTorah party, prominent rabbis have refused to sign a document aimed at ousting Knesset members Moshe Gafni and Uri Maklev. The move, which has sent shockwaves through the Haredi political landscape, was reportedly orchestrated by activist David Shapira, described as an unknown figure.
Rabbi Meir Tzvi Bergman, the party's senior rabbi, and Rabbi Berel Povarsky, head of the Ponevezh Yeshiva, have declined to endorse the removal of Gafni and Maklev. Their refusal is seen as a move to prevent Shapira from consolidating control over the party.
Earlier, Rabbi Bergman had sent a letter to Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch, the spiritual leader of Degel HaTorah, urging him to prevent the ouster, but this appeal was unsuccessful. The rabbis' refusal to sign the removal document signifies anticipated internal friction within the Lithuanian Haredi political faction, drawing parallels to similar disputes within the Shas party.
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