Top Haredi Politicians Moshe Gafni and Uri Maklev Removed From United Torah Judaism List

Members of Knesset Moshe Gafni and Uri Maklev have been removed from the United Torah Judaism party list and its Degel HaTorah faction ahead of the upcoming Knesset elections. The decision, announced by the household of Rabbi Dov Lando, a leading figure in the Lithuanian Haredi community, cited the need for "refreshment among the Knesset members" to bring in new representatives.

Rabbi Lando expressed gratitude for Gafni and Maklev's years of service, particularly their efforts in supporting yeshiva students and adhering to the guidance of Torah leaders. The announcement noted that the two would leave the Knesset to make way for new candidates, with MK Yaakov Asher expected to take a leading role in their place.

Yaakov Asher, who has recently adopted a strong stance against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the current right-wing coalition, previously served as chairman of the Knesset Interior Committee. Gafni, one of the longest-serving Knesset members, has been in parliament since 1988 and has held positions such as Deputy Minister of Religious Services and chairman of the Knesset Finance Committee.

While Rabbi Lando requested Gafni to continue as chairman of the national movement, his response is currently unclear. The move to remove Gafni and Maklev was reportedly facilitated after Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch, another prominent Lithuanian leader, stated he would not intervene in the list's composition, despite deeming the action "unseemly in the current situation." David Shapira, a key figure in Rabbi Lando's circle and influential in the party's newspaper "Yated Ne'eman," is said to have promoted this decision.