Moshe Gafni's Four-Decade Rise to Power in Israeli Haredi Politics

Moshe Gafni, a prominent figure in Israeli Haredi politics, is concluding nearly four decades of service in the Knesset, stepping down from his influential role as chairman of the Knesset Finance Committee. Gafni, a leader of the Degel HaTorah party, transformed from a young activist in the southern development town of Ofakim into one of the most powerful and respected parliamentarians in Israel, particularly within the Haredi community.

Born in Tel Aviv to Polish Holocaust survivor parents, Gafni received his early education in religious schools before immersing himself in prominent Lithuanian yeshivas. He moved to Ofakim in the 1970s as part of a broader initiative to strengthen peripheral areas with Torah communities. There, he became a central figure, heading a kollel and serving on the city council. His early work in Ofakim involved addressing the daily struggles of residents, including welfare issues and bureaucratic challenges, providing him with a deep understanding of the needs of ordinary citizens and the periphery.

In 1988, following a split within the Haredi political landscape, Rabbi Eliezer Schach, a leading Lithuanian Torah sage, established Degel HaTorah. Gafni was summoned by Rabbi Schach and instructed to run for the Knesset, marking his entry into national politics. He focused on building influence from within parliamentary committees, rather than seeking ministerial positions, a strategy that proved highly effective.

Throughout his career, Gafni adhered to the Lithuanian Haredi principle of avoiding direct ministerial responsibility due to concerns about collective responsibility for government decisions that might contradict Torah values. The only exception was a brief stint as Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs. His tenure as chairman of the Finance Committee, spanning over a decade across multiple Knesset terms, allowed him to significantly shape national budgets, prioritizing Torah institutions while also advocating for social policies benefiting the periphery and vulnerable populations.

Gafni's political stance was characterized by a pragmatic approach to diplomacy, prioritizing the preservation of Jewish life, and a consistent alignment with the right-wing bloc, particularly under Benjamin Netanyahu, whom he viewed as a natural partner respecting the status quo. His departure from the Knesset and the Finance Committee in July 2025 was prompted by the Haredi leadership's decision for Degel HaTorah to leave the governing coalition amid the contentious conscription law crisis. Despite leaving the Knesset, Rabbi Gafni has been asked by leading Torah sages to continue leading the national Degel HaTorah movement.