# Degel HaTorah leadership restructuring

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/degel-hatorah-leadership-restructuring
> Updated: 2026-09-05T23:33:19.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2.

The Degel HaTorah party has moved to restructure its parliamentary leadership in response to political challenges regarding military conscription and the draft law for Haredi yeshiva students.

Initially, party leaders Rabbi Dov Lando and Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch were reported to be considering the replacement of veteran Knesset members Moshe Gafni and Uri Maklev to inject new energy into the movement. Following these deliberations, Rabbi Lando officially announced a leadership shakeup, informing Gafni and Maklev that they will not return to the Knesset in the next term. While Gafni is set to depart the Knesset, Lando requested he remain chairman of the national Degel HaTorah organization.

This restructuring coincides with a significant shift in political alignment. The faction stated it “no longer has trust” in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and signaled that it will no longer participate in a political “bloc,” choosing instead to focus exclusively on the interests of the Haredi community and the yeshiva world.

Recent developments indicate that the decision to exclude Gafni and Maklev from the party’s next electoral list was driven by a need to “refresh” the party’s parliamentary presence. However, the move has reportedly caused friction within the party, with some members criticizing the manner of the dismissal. The reshuffle also occurs amid internal power struggles between religious authorities Rabbi Dov Lando and Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch.

## Claims

- MK Moshe Gafni and Rabbi Uri Maklev will not serve in the next Knesset. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Moshe Gafni was requested to remain in his position as chairman of the Degel HaTorah organization. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The removal of Gafni and Maklev is intended to refresh the party's parliamentary representation with new faces. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The leadership change is part of an internal struggle for influence between Rabbi Dov Lando and Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Rabbi Lando stated that the faction no longer has trust in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (single source)
- Prime Minister Netanyahu informed party representatives that there is no coalition majority to pass the haredi conscription bill. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-05: Degel HaTorah removes Moshe Gafni and Uri Maklev from Knesset list

Degel HaTorah leaders Moshe Gafni and Uri Maklev will not return to the Knesset in the next election, as Rabbi Dov Lando moves to refresh the party's parliamentary representation.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/degel-hatorah-announces-leadership-shakeup-ahead-of-election

### 2026-08-09: Degel HaTorah considers replacing veteran MKs Gafni and Maklev

Degel HaTorah leaders are reportedly considering replacing veteran MKs Moshe Gafni and Uri Maklev on the party's Knesset list to refresh its political leadership.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/degel-hatorah-considers-replacing-veteran-mks-gafni-and-maklev

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Cite as: Degel HaTorah leadership restructuring. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/degel-hatorah-leadership-restructuring