Gafni's Rare Pre-Election Message: "The Left Knows How to Keep Promises"
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
Moshe Gafni, chairman of Degel HaTorah, issued a rare pre-election statement criticizing the right-wing bloc for failing to keep its promises, particularly regarding the conscription of yeshiva students. He contrasted this with the left, which he said fulfills its threats. Gafni described the current electoral battle as an unprecedented "spiritual life and death war" for the Haredi community and its way of life.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Moshe Gafni criticized the right-wing bloc for not keeping promises, unlike the left.
- Gafni called the current election battle an unprecedented "spiritual life and death war."
- He accused senior economic figures of threatening him early in the government's term.
- The issue of yeshiva student conscription was highlighted as a key point of contention.
- Gafni stated the left fulfills its threats, while the right does not.
In a striking statement just before the elections, Moshe Gafni, chairman of the Degel HaTorah party, criticized the right-wing bloc, stating that the left knows how to fulfill its promises, unlike the right. Speaking at a party rally, Gafni described the current electoral battle as unprecedented, particularly concerning the future of yeshiva students and the preservation of their way of life. He asserted that this is a "spiritual life and death war" affecting all sacred matters important to his community.
Gafni recounted alleged threats he received at the beginning of the government's term from senior economic figures. These individuals, he claimed, warned of severe consequences if the Haredi parties influenced the choice of prime minister, implying a connection to the current political climate and the right's perceived failure to uphold commitments.
He specifically pointed to the issue of conscription, noting that the left had threatened to bring it to the forefront and had indeed done so, fulfilling their promise. Gafni contrasted this with the right-wing bloc, which he accused of not knowing how to keep its word, despite the critical importance of the issue for the continuation of Torah study in Israel. He concluded by emphasizing that the decision on the future of Torah scholars would be made by the great rabbis, as in the past.