Religious Court Clash: Gafni and Asher Trade Blows with Lapid Over "Torah Law" Bill
A heated political confrontation erupted following the passage of a controversial bill allowing rabbinical courts to adjudicate civil monetary matters according to Torah law for consenting parties. The legislative move sparked a fierce exchange on social media between opposition leader Yair Lapid and Haredi lawmakers, drawing a sharp intervention from MK Moshe Gafni.
The Exchange: From Belarus to the IDF
The clash began on X (formerly Twitter) after Lapid vowed that a future government would counter the bill by allowing civil marriage and divorce.
- MK Yaakov Asher mocked Lapid’s stance, referencing a past suggestion by Ehud Barak to bring "a million Belarusians" to "improve" the Jewish population.
- Yair Lapid retaliated sharply:"We prefer a billion Russian-speaking immigrants who serve in the IDF and pay taxes over people who don't work, don't study, don't serve, and extort billions from the public. These immigrants are not only better citizens than you, they are better Jews than you."
- Asher’s Counter: Asher clarified that the "Blessed Aliyah" from Belarus produced Torah giants like the Chafetz Chaim and the Chazon Ish, accusing Lapid of being a "small man" who only knows how to "divide and incite."
Gafni’s Strike: Targeting Bennett
MK Moshe Gafni, Chairman of Degel HaTorah, issued a formal statement escalating the fight by targeting Naftali Bennett and the broader opposition leadership.
- The Accusation: Gafni labeled the opposition's conduct a "disgrace," arguing the bill respects Israel’s character as both Jewish and democratic by offering citizens a choice.
- The "Chametz Law" Parallel: Gafni compared the current resistance to the backlash against his previous "Chametz Law," calling both moves "logical and democratic."
A Message to Bennett: Gafni reminded Bennett that the original pioneers of this rabbinical court legislation included Rabbis Yitzhak Levy and Zevulun Orlev—figures from Bennett’s own political "Beit Midrash."
"It would be wise for the heads of the opposition to focus on building public trust... before making desperate declarations about future coalitions and repealing laws," Gafni concluded.
