Moseh Gafni Signals Uncertainty About Supporting Netanyahu After October Elections

Moseh Gafni, chairman of the Degel HaTorah party, made an unusual statement on Sunday regarding his party's potential support for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after the upcoming elections. Unlike previous occasions when Degel HaTorah and United Torah Judaism were considered almost guaranteed parts of Netanyahu's coalition, Gafni said, "This time I am not saying in advance that I will go with Netanyahu." This remark comes amid growing tensions between the Likud party and the ultra-Orthodox factions, especially following a prolonged dispute over the military draft law and exemptions for yeshiva students.

The Israeli parliamentary elections are scheduled for October 27, and political parties are competing for right-wing voters who oppose draft exemptions. Former Prime Minister and "Beyachad" party leader Naftali Bennett quickly responded to Gafni's comments, stating, "Do not be mistaken - Gafni, Bibi, and Deri are one and the same. Those who truly want to draft Haredim and support IDF soldiers know they must keep the draft dodgers, Deri and Gafni, out of the government." Bennett added that in his government, those who do not enlist will not receive any state funds, which will instead be allocated to soldiers and reservists.

The statement by Gafni adds to the recent public strain between Netanyahu and his veteran ultra-Orthodox partners. Last month, Netanyahu worked to maintain the coalition by promoting legislation favorable to the Haredi community, including a law aimed at preventing the arrest of draft dodgers. Although the Knesset passed the law by a narrow margin (58-54), the Supreme Court issued an interim injunction freezing its implementation.

Following this, Netanyahu shifted his approach, responding to polls showing damage to Likud's support due to backing Haredi-favorable legislation. He declared that his next government would pursue a "full draft law" meeting IDF needs, stating that any Haredi not studying Torah would have to enlist or face imprisonment. The Haredi parties reacted angrily, with United Torah Judaism leader Yitzhak Goldknopf calling the earlier law "another spin that solves nothing" and emphasizing that future cooperation would depend on securing the status of yeshiva students and scholars. A senior party official warned that the Haredim might not return to the same arrangement after the elections.

Underlying these developments is an electoral struggle. Likud is trying to regain right-wing voters alienated by its concessions to the Haredim, while the ultra-Orthodox parties must justify to their constituents why years of partnership with Netanyahu have not resulted in a permanent resolution of yeshiva students' status.