Degel HaTorah Paper Blames Aides for Knesset Members' Ouster Controversy

The internal turmoil within the Degel HaTorah political party continues following the recent ousting of veteran lawmakers Moshe Gafni and Uri Maklev from the party's list after decades of service. The party's official newspaper, "Yated Ne'eman," published a sharp article that, instead of criticizing the departing lawmakers, targets some of their aides and advisors.

The article highlights the controversial manner in which Gafni and Maklev were removed, noting they were not formally notified but instead received late-night letters, with Gafni's being placed in his mailbox after a courier was not answered. This method drew significant criticism, even from within Degel HaTorah.

"Yated Ne'eman" claims that a "minority of known individuals" among the aides orchestrated a campaign against the replacement of the lawmakers. According to the paper, these aides allegedly engaged in "media incitement and PR operations," exploiting their positions to oppose the leadership's decision. The newspaper accuses them of "harming their employers" and collaborating with media figures aiming to disrupt the ultra-Orthodox community and spreading "false smear campaigns" against the party's leadership.

The paper also suggests that the narrative of "ousting" and "humiliation" surrounding Gafni and Maklev was largely a product of a campaign by these aides. However, the article acknowledges that criticism of the removal process extended beyond the aides, with some veteran party members and rabbis on the Council of Torah Sages expressing reservations. The newspaper presents a counter-narrative, suggesting that attempts to reach a respectful transition were met with a "coordinated and brazen public campaign" by these aides, and that their actions contributed to the hasty and undignified manner in which the decision was ultimately delivered.

Significantly, "Yated Ne'eman" revealed a new party decision: starting next term, all public representatives of Degel HaTorah will require approval from the party's Rabbinical Committee to appoint aides. This move aims to prevent aides from becoming independent power centers and acting against the party line, tightening the leadership's control over the lawmakers' immediate staff.