Moshe Gafni

Outcome of state budget vote uncertain amid coalition crisis over haredi draft

By law, if the state budget is not approved in all three readings by the end of March, when the fiscal year closes, the Knesset will automatically dissolve, and elections will be called.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his cabinet seen at the Knesset plenum, June 11, 2025
A PLENUM session at the Knesset.

2026 budget reading puts government at risk, after months of ideological sparring - analysis

 Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich speaks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as lawmakers gather at the Knesset plenum to vote on a bill that would limit some Supreme Court power, in Jerusalem July 24, 2023.

Netanyahu convenes emergency meeting as haredi parties threaten to block state budget vote

Supreme Court justices preside over a hearing at the High Court of Justice in Jerusalem, December 1, 2025

High Court to hear two cases blocking haredi education funds amid legal disputes


Rabbis slam Haredi MK's advocacy for evacuating settlements

MK Moshe Gafni based his stance on concessions on a letter written by a leading Rabbi, involving peace with Egypt in 1978.

Moshe Gafni

Haredi MK Gafni recalls party's historic support of evacuating settlements

The letter is dated April 18, 1978, when Begin was negotiating peace with Egypt, which involved returning Sinai to Egypt and evacuating Yamit.

Moshe Gafni

For American Jews engaging with Israel can feel like talking to the Wall

Will the cabinet’s decision on the Kotel and conversion affect Jewish support from the Diaspora?

Reform Movement prayer service at the Western Wall

Haredi parties prepare for showdown over Western Wall plan

The haredi parties are extremely concerned that the High Court will intervene on the side of those demanding a state-recognized egalitarian section.

The Robinson's Arch area of the Western Wall

MK Gafni says will fight against construction of mikvas for progressive denominations

The US Jewish leadership lobbied heavily against the recently approved mikva law which essentially bans the Reform and Masorti movements from using public mikvas for their conversion ceremonies.

Moshe Gafni

Periphery towns to strike over frozen tax break changes

Nearly 200 towns in the North and South will stop all municipal services, including garbage collection, but not schools, for one day.

Protests against proposed changes to the criteria for periphery residents to receive tax benefits, October 2015.

Did the Israeli gov’t surrender to the EU?

MKs debate terms of Horizon 2020 agreement; decision needs to made about whether Israel's priority is Judea and Samaria, or joining int'l economy, says MK.

Ashton and Netanyahu shake hands 370

Shteinman supports Lau for Ashkenazi chief rabbi

Ovadia Yosef and Shas have yet to decide whom to back for Sephardi chief rabbi position.

AHARON LEIB SHTEINMAN 370

Haredi MK calls Knesset c'tee 'trash can of Judaism'

Moshe Gafni lambasts Constitution, Law and Justice Committee discussing so-called Tzohar bill on marriage registrations.

MK Moshe Gafni (UTJ) 311

Edelstein: Lapid damaging Knesset's reputation

Lapid says he won't give major speeches at Knesset because of heckling; Gafni: Haredim won't give you satisfaction of arguing.

Lapid speaking at the Knesset 370