Rabbi Dov Landau, a leading authority for Lithuania's ultra-Orthodox community, has informed two veteran Knesset members that they will not run in the next election, according to an announcement released Saturday night by his office.
The decision affects Moshe Gafni and Uri Maklev, both longtime representatives of Degel HaTorah, the Lithuanian faction within the United Torah Judaism party. According to the statement, Rabbi Landau sent personal letters to both lawmakers thanking them "warmly for their activities in recent years with complete obedience to the great Torah scholars."
The letters specifically praised their "excellent dedication" in defending yeshiva students from military conscription, which they conducted "in the light of the great Torah scholars." However, the statement said that "due to the need to refresh the ranks of Knesset members, the first two will leave the Knesset in order to bring in new representatives."
Rabbi Landau also asked Gafni to continue serving as chairman of Degel HaTorah's national movement, the announcement said. The actual letters were not released with the official statement from Rabbi Landau's spokesman.
Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch, another senior rabbinic leader who was expected to join the decision, chose not to participate. Sources close to him said he was opposed to removing the veteran lawmakers.
The announcement sparked sharp criticism within Degel HaTorah circles. In internal party groups, activists criticized what they described as discarding dedicated public servants through media briefings. Some compared the behavior to that of other political parties, questioning whether such treatment reflected Torah values.
Senior figures within Degel HaTorah also voiced harsh criticism, with some saying the move marked a departure from the party's traditional conduct and warning it could divide the ultra-Orthodox public, contradicting the legacy of Rabbi Elazar Shach, who founded the movement.
