Gafni Signals Support for Gadi Eizenkot as Prime Minister Candidate Ahead of Elections

About two months before the upcoming elections, Moshe Gafni, chairman of the United Torah Judaism party, hinted at a closed-door conference that he intends to recommend Gadi Eizenkot, leader of the Yisrael party, for prime minister. Gafni stated, "It might be easier for us there," referring to Eizenkot, and his close associates confirmed to Channel 12 that he has already decided to back Eizenkot.

Gafni criticized the right-wing bloc, saying it has proven worse than the left regarding issues affecting their children. He questioned whether the left would agree to grant his party the exemption from military conscription law, emphasizing that the right has failed them in this regard. He remarked, "The entire right has shown that there are things worse than the left towards us," and added that the left is willing to "sell the country for power," implying they might be more accommodating.

This development marks a shift from previous years when Gafni threatened Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that his party had alternative options. When asked if he would recommend Eizenkot to the Torah sages instead of Netanyahu, Gafni did not answer directly but stressed he had made his decision.

The hint comes after repeated threats from the party towards Netanyahu. In May, Dov Lando, leader of Degel HaTorah, sent a sharp message to his Knesset members expressing a complete loss of trust in Netanyahu and calling for early elections. Lando wrote, "We no longer trust the prime minister, we do not feel partners with him, and we are not committed to him," urging immediate elections and dismissing previous coalition talks.

Gafni's statements and the party's stance indicate a significant political realignment within the ultra-Orthodox factions ahead of the elections, potentially influencing coalition formations and leadership choices.