Moshe Gafni

Knesset passes in first reading bill to enshrine Torah study into Basic Law

The wording in the proposal emphasizes Torah study as “a fundamental value in the heritage of the Jewish people and in the State of Israel.”

JULY 1, 2026|ByKESHET NEEV

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men from the Vizhnitz Hasidic dynasty study Torah outside the Justice Ministry in Jerusalem during a silent protest against the imprisonment of yeshiva students who failed to comply with military recruitment orders, July 1, 2026; Illustrative.

Protesters supporting the conscription of ultra-Orthodox Jewish men into the Israeli military block a road in the ultra-Orthodox city of Bnei Brak, central Israel, in protest against the continued road blockades by ultra-Orthodox demonstrators following the arrest of draft evaders, June 26, 2026.

Ultra-Orthodox party paralyzes Knesset votes to force through military draft exemptions

The most recent proposal advanced is a bill that would halt the arrests of haredi draft evaders, which is set to be debated on Tuesday in the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.

JUNE 29, 2026|ByKESHET NEEV

Shas chairman MK Arye Deri attends the State Comptroller elections at the plenum of the Knesset, in Jerusalem, June 3, 2026.

Haredi leaders say they will support Knesset dissolution if no progress made on draft bills

According to their statement, Netanyahu "made it clear at the meeting that he is committed to approving the laws and will work to advance them quickly."

JUNE 23, 2026|BySHIR PERETS, TOBIAS HOLCMAN

SHAS PARTY leader Arye Deri visits military prison expressing support for draft evaders, Sunday, June 7, 2026.

Deri says Shas supports draft evaders during prison visit, calls to add Torah study to Basic Law

The visit was made to the Neve Tzedek Military Prison, and Deri was accompanied by other lawmakers from his party, including MK Michael Malkieli and Haim Biton.

JUNE 7, 2026|ByKESHET NEEV

Israel will be replaced by a halachic state -opinion

A full right-wing government? Far from it. The incoming government will change the face of the State of Israel.

DECEMBER 4, 2022BySHARON ROFFE OFIR

United Torah Judaism leader Yitzhak Goldknopf and Otzma Yehudit chair Itamar Ben-Gvir with MKs from the likely coalition, November 21, 2022.

Smotrich, Gafni refuse Netanyahu offer for two-stage coalition agreement - report

Smotrich demands an override clause with a regular majority.

NOVEMBER 7, 2022ByELIAV BREUER

Will Gafni's Degel Hatorah split from UTJ? - analysis

"Every hassid must listen to his rebbe, but we listen to our rebbes", 'UTJ chairman MK Moshe Gafni said.

JULY 31, 2022ByELIAV BREUER

The United Torah Judaism party celebrate MK Moshe Gafni's 70th birthday during a faction meeting, in the Israeli parliament. on May 9, 2022.

MK Merav Michaeli's refreshing wedding dance - analysis

There was Michaeli, an ardent feminist and secularist, kicking up her heels to the song “Tzama lecha nafshi” at MK Moshe Gafni’s granddaughter's wedding.

JULY 5, 2022ByHERB KEINON

A conversation between Labor head Merav Michaeli and UTJ head Moshe Gafni on October 4, 2021.

Gafni attempting to form alternative gov’t

Gantz: Netanyahu has exhausted his political credit, there’s nothing to talk about

JUNE 21, 2022ByELIAV BREUER

MK MOSHE GAFNI compared Hendel to a ‘paritz.’

Israel's Jerusalem Day: Influential rabbi speaks out against flag march to MKs

The spiritual leader of the Degel HaTorah Knesset faction questioned why the "needles and dangerous" flag march was allowed to be carried out.

MAY 29, 2022ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

RABBI GERSHON EDELSTEIN will assume Rabbi Kanievsky’s spiritual role.

Liberman blames cost of living on haredim

The comment angered haredi Knesset members, who said the finance minister cannot shift the responsibility for Israel's socioeconomic challenges to their sector.

FEBRUARY 7, 2022ByGIL HOFFMAN