Jerusalem Mayor Leon Discusses Gafni's Removal from Knesset Faction

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion spoke about the recent removal of his friend, United Torah Judaism party leader MK Moshe Gafni, from his position within the party's Knesset faction. In an interview with Kikar HaShabbat, Lion expressed his personal sadness over the decision, stating, "The truth is, it hurts me, because I think he did a wonderful public job. He was also a good friend, we worked together." Lion emphasized that he could not comment on the decision itself, attributing it to the "Gedolei Yisrael" (great rabbis of Israel), but acknowledged it was "certainly an unpleasant story."

Lion revealed that he spoke with Gafni by phone on Saturday night, shortly after the decision was made. "He sounded completely fine, he sounded like he accepted the decree as it is and accepted it," Lion reported. The full interview is scheduled to air on Kikar HaShabbat later in the evening. The article also briefly mentions other political developments, including candidate list changes in the Likud party and a dispute in Netanya.