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.”

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

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

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


Litzman, Gafni seeking rabbis' permission to compromise on Haredi draft law

Deputy Health Minister Yaakov Litznman threatened on Sunday that if the bill does not pass into law before the Knesset leaves for spring recess on March 15, he would quit the government.

Health Minister Ya'acov Litzman at the Knesset plenum discussing goverment allowances for the disabled, September 18, 2017.

Middle Israel: The Sabbath Gentile’s grand return

Yes, the Shabbes goys represented the happy side of Gentile-Jewish . Even so, they were part of what the Jewish state was designed to replace.

Moshe Gafni

Shabbat in the public sphere in the State of Israel

MKs Shelly Yacimovich (Labor) and Moshe Gafni (United Torah Judaism) would agree upon many things in relation to Shabbat in the public sphere.

This minimarket in Tel Aviv could be affected if a Knesset bill aimed at shutting down small businesses on Shabbat becomes law

Ministers get NIS 5000 raise after MK pay nearly surpasses theirs

Transportation Minister asks not to be paid more.

Rachel Azaria and Oren Hazan spar at a finance committee meeting, January 15, 2018.

Haredi ‘Grocery store law’ banning Shabbat operations passes in cabinet

The law, if passed, would give the interior minister the authority to block bylaws passed by municipal authorities that allow grocery stores and mini markets to open on Shabbat.

Moshe Gafni

Prime minister’s compromise deal with Haredim reaches Knesset

Moshe Gafni

MK Gafni gets lecture on importance of Diaspora during Knesset session

The United Torah Judaism MK had questioned the relevance of the agency and received quite a few reminders on its importance from his colleagues.

Moshe Gafni

Uproar over stagnant Israeli disability benefits

Accusations flew as lawmakers entered a fiery debate during the Knesset plenum over disability stipends.

Disabled activists sit in at the Knesset plenum discussing goverment allowances for the disabled, September 18, 2017.

Rabbis slam Haredi MK's advocacy for evacuating settlements

MK Moshe Gafni based his stance on concessions on a letter written by a leading Rabbi, involving peace with Egypt in 1978.

Moshe Gafni

Haredi MK Gafni recalls party's historic support of evacuating settlements

The letter is dated April 18, 1978, when Begin was negotiating peace with Egypt, which involved returning Sinai to Egypt and evacuating Yamit.

Moshe Gafni