Degel HaTorah’s official newspaper, Yated Ne’eman, addressed for the first time Monday the dramatic decision to remove veteran MKs Moshe Gafni and Uri Maklev from the party’s Knesset slate, stressing that the move should not be interpreted as a loss of confidence in the longtime representatives.

The newspaper said Degel HaTorah’s Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah is currently approving the party’s slate for the upcoming Knesset election as part of a broader effort to “refresh the ranks” with new representatives.

Yated emphasized that Gafni and Maklev acted throughout their years in public office in accordance with the directives of the Gedolei Yisrael and consulted with them on every significant step.

The newspaper also addressed the failure to resolve the status of bnei yeshivos and avreichim, noting that the draft law failed to advance despite repeated coalition commitments. It cited a letter from the Gedolei Yisrael stating that the MKs had done everything within their power to secure the status of lomdei Torah.

“The need to refresh the ranks therefore does not constitute an expression of no confidence,” Yated said, rejecting claims that the decision reflected dissatisfaction with the veteran MKs.

The controversy, however, is not yet fully settled. Several members of Degel HaTorah’s Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah have reportedly expressed strong opposition to removing Gafni and Maklev, with some arguing that outside considerations played a role in the decision. The new slate is still awaiting the Moetzes’ approval.

On Motzei Shabbos, a statement from the home of HaGaon HaRav Dov Landau said he had personally thanked Gafni and Maklev for their years of service but determined that both should leave the Knesset to allow new representatives to enter. HaGaon HaRav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, who had been expected to join the move, reportedly declined to intervene and has expressed opposition to their removal.

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)