MK Moshe Gafni declined to comment on reports of his dismissal, saying he cannot speak now.
MK Moshe Gafni declined to comment Sunday evening on reports of his dismissal from the Degel HaTorah Knesset list, saying he was unable to speak at this time. The refusal comes a day after the dramatic shakeup in the Litvak Haredi faction was confirmed in a series of reports by The Zioneer.
On Saturday night, The Zioneer reported that Degel HaTorah's rabbinical leadership, under Rabbi Dov Landau, had removed MKs Gafni and Uri Maklev from the party slate after 38 years in the Knesset. Initial reports emerged that evening that the decision had been made, followed by confirmation that Rabbi Landau had sent personal letters instructing the two to resign. Associates of Gafni described the move as 'bloodshed,' while a senior Degel HaTorah source denied it was a forced ousting, calling it a 'natural refresh' of the party list. The Haredi Public party condemned the ousting and vowed an electoral response.
As The Zioneer reported on Saturday, the ousting follows the failure of the draft exemption bill, which had been a major legislative priority for the Haredi parties. MK Yaakov Asher, a loyalist of Rabbi Landau, is expected to lead the Degel HaTorah list in the upcoming elections, while Rabbi Landau asked Gafni to continue serving as chairman of the party's national movement outside the Knesset.
It remains unclear whether Gafni will accept the offer to lead the national movement. His refusal to address the dismissal — and the broader political fallout within United Torah Judaism — remain open questions as the party prepares for elections.
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