Degel HaTorah Chair Moshe Gafni Condemns Government Legal Advisor Over Haredi Education Policies

Moshe Gafni, chairman of the Degel HaTorah party, sharply criticized the Israeli government’s legal advisor, Gali Baharav-Miara, over her decisions regarding Haredi education. He accused her of overstepping her authority and imposing a personal agenda by interfering in educational content, which he argued should be decided by elected officials. Gafni questioned why Baharav-Miara alone could dictate what Haredi children learn, especially during an election period when legislative decisions are restricted.

Gafni demanded that if the state insists on regulating Haredi curricula, then all Israeli children should be required to study the 613 commandments, Jewish tradition, Torah, Prophets, Writings, and Talmud, with funding contingent on compliance. He claimed Baharav-Miara has crossed all boundaries and lacks understanding of Torah and Judaism, yet acts as if the entire country is subject to her will.

He emphasized that Haredi education predates Baharav-Miara and will continue regardless of changes in the judicial system. Gafni framed the disputes over yeshiva conscription and core curriculum studies as part of a broader attempt to secularize the Haredi community, which he vowed would resist such changes and maintain its religious way of life.