Degel Hatorah leader MK Moshe Gafni unleashed fierce criticism against his coalition partners on Motzoei Shabbos, as disputes intensified over legislation to exempt all yeshiva students from military service.
“We made four requests of the Prime Minister over the past two years: One – bring back the hostages. Two – end the war. Three – avoid uncoordinated actions with the United States. Four – ensure that Torah scholars can continue their studies. This is the directive we received from our rabbis, and this is the path of Degel Hatorah,” Gafni declared.
Though he refrained from naming specific individuals, Gafni’s comments were clearly directed at National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
“We see now that we were right. Who was right? The one wearing a kippah, ascending the Temple Mount, inciting the entire Muslim world against us—did that help anyone?” he said.
“And the other one, also with a kippah, who, along with his associates, constantly incites against Torah scholars. Had we listened to these irresponsible voices, the hostages wouldn’t have been released—and I’m not even sure they care.”
Continuing his address, Gafni stated, “Despite the judges being against us, the senior officials opposing us, and the media inciting against us—the people are with us. Representatives of Degel Hatorah have come from across the country, and I’ve gone city to city—there is a growing closeness to religion everywhere. The public stands with us.”
In response, sources close to Minister Smotrich fired back sharply: “If Gafni weren’t afraid of losing his grip on the majority of the chareidi public—who are tired of his petty, divisive politicking and his persistent attacks on the religious Zionist community, which sacrifices for Torah, the nation, and the land in sanctity and purity—he wouldn’t need to align himself with Yair Golan and Yair Lapid. His rhetoric spreads hatred and division against religious Zionism, especially during the Sukkos holiday.”
{Matzav.com Israel}
Based on what it always written about him on Matzav it is time for Gafni to retire. Ever since in inception in the 1980s I had been sure that I were an Israeli citizen I would vote for Degel. Over the past two years I’ve come to decide that I would vote for Shas
“…and his persistent attacks on the religious Zionist community, which sacrifices for Torah, the nation, and the land in sanctity and purity”
Rav Elchonon Wasserman and others wrote that “Religious Zionism” is idolatry mixed with religion.
Also, there is no Jewish “nation”; that is the fake nation of “Israel”. There is only the Jewish people, based on only the Torah, not on land, culture and all the rest like the gentile nations.
Whatever you say….
The Netziv and other gedolim, including in the previous generation did not consider it idolatry.