Rabbi Dov Landau Removes Gafni and Maklev From Degel HaTorah’s Knesset Slate

Rabbi Dov Landau sent personal letters to Moshe Gafni and Uri Maklev telling the veteran lawmakers they will not remain on Degel HaTorah’s Knesset slate for Israel’s 2026 election. A statement from Landau’s office said the party needs to refresh its parliamentary representation and bring in new members. Landau asked Gafni, first elected in 1988, to remain chairman of the movement’s national leadership, while Yaakov Asher is expected to head the slate and Yitzhak Pindrus is set to remain. Sources differ on whether Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch approved the removals.