Panelists Debate Haredi Politics, IDF Exemptions, and 'People of the Year'
A heated discussion on the "Kippot Shechorot" (Black Kippahs) program on Kikar HaShabbat featured a debate on the dramatic last-minute replacement of veteran lawmakers Moshe Gafni and Uri Maklev from the Degel HaTorah party. Panelists criticized the move as a sign of extreme survivalist mentality, with one comparing it to a "heavy hammer falling from above." Shimon Touboul, a former representative for Degel HaTorah, defended Gafni and Maklev's historical contributions while accusing Prime Minister Netanyahu of manipulating the situation.
The program also addressed internal party matters, including an unusual attack in the "Yated Ne'eman" newspaper against Knesset aides and a demand for their subordination to a rabbinical committee. Touboul praised the aides for their work, while Yehuda Glickman suggested that younger individuals around the Knesset members had accumulated excessive power. The panel noted the smooth transition of MK Yisrael Eichler from Agudat Yisrael to his successor.
Political maneuvering ahead of the Knesset list deadline was also a key topic. The panel analyzed the bloc alignments, including Yaakov Bardugo's position in Likud, the union of Smotrich with the "Identity" party, and Ofer Winter's insistence on running independently. Touboul stated that the "Noam" party would proceed as directed by Rabbi Tav, while MK Eli Necht and Glickman discussed Avigdor Lieberman's role as the "responsible adult" of the center-right bloc.
A viral video by former IDF economic division head, Brig. Gen. (res.) Ram Aminach, calling for blanket exemptions for 27-year-old married yeshiva students not needed by the army, sparked controversy. Aminach urged the defense establishment to stop "harassing" these individuals so they could work. Dolev Davidov controversially suggested that continued sanctions would strengthen Haredi identity and separatism, and urged secular Israelis to stop being secular if they wanted Haredim to integrate.
Each panelist selected their "Person of the Year." Shimon Touboul chose Boaz Golan of Channel 14 for his journalistic integrity. Eli Necht emotionally selected fallen IDF officer Lt. Eitan Samuel Weinberg as a symbol of the younger generation's heroism. Dolev Davidov ironically chose Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara for strengthening Haredi identity through her actions against the sector. Yehuda Glickman chose Rabbi Dov Landau for his dedication to Torah study, and host Yossi Sergofsky chose his wife and Israeli mothers for maintaining families during challenging times.