Yaakov Asher Takes Helm of Degel HaTorah, Signaling New Era
Yaakov Asher, 61, has emerged as the new leader of the Degel HaTorah party, marking a generational shift after Moshe Gafni's 38-year tenure. Asher, who was born in Ramat Gan and served in the IDF, brings extensive experience from local government, the workforce, and national politics.
Asher's political career began with Degel HaTorah and local government, culminating in his service as Mayor of Bnei Brak. During his time as mayor, he spearheaded economic initiatives, including the development of the BBC complex, a significant employment hub, and was involved in a recovery plan to stabilize the city's finances. He also participated in regional planning committees.
His rise was foreshadowed when the late Rabbi Aharon Yehuda Leib Steinman placed him seventh on the party's Knesset list, a position then considered unlikely but indicative of his future potential. Upon entering the Knesset, Asher focused on committee work and legislation, chairing the Constitution Committee during the COVID-19 crisis and the Interior Committee, which addressed war damage recovery.
Asher is known to be close to Rabbi Dov Lando, a prominent Lithuanian leader, and David Shapira, who is influential in Rabbi Lando's circle and was reportedly involved in the move to oust Gafni. This proximity places Asher at the center of the political power structures that drove the change within Degel HaTorah, connecting him to the spiritual and political establishment while also reflecting his integration into broader Israeli society.
Looking ahead, Asher faces the significant challenge of the ultra-Orthodox conscription law, a contentious issue far from resolution. While Degel HaTorah maintains that spiritual leadership, headed by Rabbi Lando, dictates political decisions, including potential collaborations, Asher's leadership style may differ from Gafni's. The party emphasizes that Asher's background as a former mayor, his economic and parliamentary experience, and his wider connections suggest a potential shift in how Degel HaTorah engages with Israeli society and the political system.