MK Moshe Gafni
MK Moshe GafniFlash 90

Degel Hatorah Chairman and Knesset Finance Committee Chairman MK Moshe Gafni spoke in a Galei Tzahal interview this evening about the mood on the haredi street in the face of the closure map.

"The atmosphere in the haredi community is despondent, there is a mood the likes of which I cannot recall. The feeling among our public is that the authorities use a double-standard when it comes to us. We see the [high] morbidity in every cities, why is there a closure only in our cities? What was the sin of the man and woman, the haredi boy and girl who couldn't leave their homes this morning for school and work. What is my crime and what have I sinned?" Gafni wondered.

"I don't remember this kind of feeling among the haredi public in previous years, they are closely connected to current events," Gafni noted, "I don't think this is a reality we can come to terms with. Information to the haredi community is lacking and not adapted to this audience. No member of this public is in the decision-making and information systems. We propose Bnei Brak Municipality Director Shmuel Litov as liaison. He proved his skill and success in the layout of the 'capsules' in yeshivot, where not a single person was infected."

Gafni mentioned that he did not support opening the economy the way it was done: "I was against opening the economy all at once. It looked [at the time] as though there was going to be a revolt here and apparently the Prime Minister was afraid of that."

On the dispute between Social Security and the Treasury, Gafni said, "I will in no way lend a hand to restricting Social Security in the hands of the Treasury. Social Security is one of the important social tools the government has. It should be a professional and independent body."

On the budget issue, Gafni said, "I support the budget moving quickly - an annual budget is the option that meets this condition, but it's not a categorical imperative."