Moshe Gafni

Knesset passes in first reading bill to enshrine Torah study into Basic Law

The wording in the proposal emphasizes Torah study as “a fundamental value in the heritage of the Jewish people and in the State of Israel.”

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men from the Vizhnitz Hasidic dynasty study Torah outside the Justice Ministry in Jerusalem during a silent protest against the imprisonment of yeshiva students who failed to comply with military recruitment orders, July 1, 2026; Illustrative.
Protesters supporting the conscription of ultra-Orthodox Jewish men into the Israeli military block a road in the ultra-Orthodox city of Bnei Brak, central Israel, in protest against the continued road blockades by ultra-Orthodox demonstrators following the arrest of draft evaders, June 26, 2026.

Ultra-Orthodox party paralyzes Knesset votes to force through military draft exemptions

Shas chairman MK Arye Deri attends the State Comptroller elections at the plenum of the Knesset, in Jerusalem, June 3, 2026.

Haredi leaders say they will support Knesset dissolution if no progress made on draft bills

SHAS PARTY leader Arye Deri visits military prison expressing support for draft evaders, Sunday, June 7, 2026.

Deri says Shas supports draft evaders during prison visit, calls to add Torah study to Basic Law


Knesset advances bill expanding rabbinical courts’ power over civil matters

This bill could see a dramatic depositing of power in the hands of the Rabbinate on matters of Jewish identity, marriage, and aliyah. 

US President Donald Trump addressing the Knesset in Israel, following the release of the last 20 living hostages from Gaza, October 13, 2025.

Gafni urges Shas to open Sephardi schools, party responds amid renewed discrimination debate

Shas put out a letter thanking Gafni, thanking him for stressing the need for Shas to remain strong and independent, as no other party properly represents the Sephardic public.

MK Moshe Gafni in the Knesset plenum, in Jerusalem, December 4, 2024

IDF preparing to intensify clampdown on haredi draft dodgers - N12

The IDF has sent out 80,000 draft orders to haredi men and is preparing for large-scale arrest operations nationwide, in coordination with the Israel Police.

 Haredim protest against the IDF draft outside Tel Hashomer recruitment base, April 28. 2025.

Netanyahu must take the lead on the haredi draft issue - opinion

Instead of showing leadership, Netanyahu spent Monday night pacing the Knesset, pleading with United Torah Judaism’s Moshe Gafni to retract his resignation.

 PRIME MINISTER Benjamin Netanyahu heads to his office in the Knesset this week. When it comes to the haredim, possibly the most contentious domestic issue, it’s hard to understand why he doesn’t simply do the right thing, says the writer

Smotrich worse than secular Jews, haredi MK Gafni says

"Without Torah students, we have no existence as a Jewish people. Without Torah students, the State of Israel cannot continue," Gafni commented, referring to the haredi draft law.

 Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich with MK Moshe Gafni during a Finance committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament on December 3, 2024

Israeli gov't no longer has mandate to avoid October 7 state probe, bereaved parents say

“A government that has lost its majority has no mandate to erase the October 7 massacre and bury the truth,” the families concluded.

 Families of Israelis held hostage in the Gaza Strip and activists protest at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, May 5, 2025

Netanyahu shared top-secret Iran strike details with MK Gafni to prevent gov't collapse - NYT

According to the New York Times, Netanyahu revealed details of Operation Rising Lion with Gafni, who lacked security clearance, so that he would oppose a bill to bring about elections.

 (L-R) MK Moshe Gafni and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over a backdrop of Iran.

MK Gafni: I do not understand why we're still fighting in Gaza

“I do not understand what the need is, what are we going to do there that's worth soldiers are being killed all the time?” Gafni said, referring to seven killed IDF soldiers on Tuesday.

United Torah Judaism MK Moshe Gafni seen at a Knesset committee, December 16, 2024

Gafni slams Ben-Gvir for Temple Mount visit as a 'desecration' of sacred site

Itamar Ben-Gvir has repeatedly ascended the Temple Mount, drawing lashback from Knesset members.

 National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir visits the Temple Mount in Jerusalem Old City, April 2, 2025.

Bereaved families confront lawmakers, demanding October 7 national inquiry

Families pointed out the long-term trauma families are facing in the absence of accountability.

 Head of the Finance committee MK Moshe Gafni leads a Finance committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on January 17, 2023.