Top Haredi Figure Criticizes Moshe Gafni's Past Attacks on Rabbi Avraham Ravitz

Rabbi Boaz Naki, spokesperson for the Jerusalem Faction of the Lithuanian Haredi community, recently delivered a scathing critique of established Haredi leadership, including MK Moshe Gafni. During a "Hashkafa" (outlook) talk with historian Yisrael Shapira in Jerusalem's Geula neighborhood, Rabbi Naki, known for his uncompromising style, accused Gafni of attempting to undermine the reputation of the late Rabbi Avraham Ravitz, a former partner in leading the Degel HaTorah party.

Naki claimed that Gafni used to "call to badmouth Ravitz, saying he wasn't Haredi enough," and contrasted this with Gafni's current standing, stating, "Today he is 10 degrees less than what Ravitz was." Naki suggested this reflects a decline in the leadership of the Lithuanian public, where those who once acted as gatekeepers of Haredi identity have themselves weakened.

These remarks come amidst recent turmoil within Degel HaTorah. Rabbi Dov Landau, a senior Lithuanian rabbinic leader, sent personal letters to Gafni and MK Uri Maklev informing them they would not be included on the party's list for the next Knesset, citing a need for "refreshment among the Knesset members." MK Yaakov Asher is slated to head the list instead. Gafni, who has served in the Knesset almost continuously since 1988, faces the prospect of being outside the list for the first time in decades.