Shas Leader Aryeh Deri's Attempt to Oust MKs Blocked; Gafni Receives Dismissal Notice

Shas party leader Aryeh Deri's attempt to remove veteran Knesset members Yoav Ben-Tzur and Moshe Abutbul from the party's list was halted by the Council of Torah Sages. Ben-Tzur had actively lobbied the party's rabbis, including a documented meeting with spiritual leader Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, which may have contributed to the council's decision to postpone the move. Deri is also reportedly seeking to mitigate the impact of a conscription exemption law by potentially including Rabbi Dror David Amos, a Haifa religious council head and IDF reservist, on Shas's list.

In parallel, details have emerged regarding the dramatic dismissal of MK Moshe Gafni from the Degel HaTorah party list. Associates of Gafni revealed that an envelope was left at his doorstep shortly after midnight. Inside, Gafni found a letter from Rabbi Dov Landau informing him of his removal from the party list, alongside a similar dismissal for MK Uri Maklev. Gafni was reportedly seen attending Selichot prayers during this time.

Degel HaTorah is expected to frame the dismissals as a move to introduce new energy into the party, emphasizing that Rabbi Landau's decisions are final, regardless of poll results. The party aims to present the initiative as a success, despite the surprise nature of the removals.