Ultra-Orthodox Party Factional Dispute Over Coalition Talks

Moshe Gafni, the former chairman of the ultra-Orthodox party Degel HaTorah, is actively working to prevent the party from joining a potential "Change Bloc" coalition. Gafni, who stepped down as party leader in September, is reportedly engaged in intense internal and external discussions to thwart any alliance with the bloc, according to a report by Daniel Grჩევais on Kan News.

In contrast, Yaakov Asher, Gafni's successor as chairman, is pursuing a completely opposite strategy. Asher is reportedly the main proponent of joining the coalition and entering a government led by the "Change Bloc." He has outlined three key conditions for any negotiations: the conscription law and the status of yeshiva students, budgets for ultra-Orthodox education without mandatory core curriculum studies, and maintaining the status quo on religion and state issues.

Asher held a significant meeting with Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu, to discuss the conscription law and explore a mutually agreeable framework. The discussion focused on finding a conscription plan that could gain approval from Rabbi Dovid Landau, a prominent Lithuanian leader, and withstand High Court scrutiny.

Meanwhile, Gafni, who led the party until two months ago, is attempting to halt these coalition efforts. In closed discussions, David Shapira, Rabbi Steinman's grandson and a confidant of Rabbi Landau, conveyed the Lithuanian leader's stance. Shapira stated that Rabbi Landau is not solely aligned with Benjamin Netanyahu but is primarily concerned with safeguarding the world of Torah.

These developments occur amidst reports of political overtures between Degel HaTorah and the "Change Bloc." Lieberman has reportedly removed a slogan critical of Netanyahu and the ultra-Orthodox from his Facebook page, seen as a potential shift in his stance. Concurrently, the Shas party issued a firm statement, declaring that on the directive of the Council of Torah Sages, they recommended Benjamin Netanyahu to form the government.

The internal conflict between Gafni and Asher reflects the tensions within Degel HaTorah as the party faces critical decisions. While Asher views cooperation with the "Change Bloc" as an opportunity to secure the interests of Torah scholars, Gafni fears this path and is trying to prevent it. Recent weeks have seen reports of feelers and offers from the "Change Bloc" to the ultra-Orthodox parties. Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the "Change Bloc," sent a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urging him to avoid dangerous security measures during the transition period.