Following the directive of the spiritual leader of the Degel HaTorah faction of United Torah Judaism (UTJ), Rabbi Dov Lando, the party announced on Monday evening that it and its three MKs will leave the government and the coalition.
“Following the directive of our revered leader, Rabbi Lando, and in light of the Draft Law presented tonight to the Haredi Knesset members - which deviates from the agreements and promises made by Likud and the coalition - Degel HaTorah will withdraw from the coalition and the government,” the party stated.
“In his conversation this evening with Degel HaTorah’s Knesset members, Rabbi Lando emphasized the great responsibility resting on their shoulders and the sanctification of God’s name through their unwavering defense of Torah scholars. He instructed them to withdraw immediately,” the statement added.
Subsequently, the Council of Torah Sages instructed the Knesset members of the Agudat Yisrael faction of UTJ to resign from their positions in the coalition as well.
"In light of the fact that a draft bill concerning the regulation of yeshiva students’ status in relation to the conscription authorities - one that does not reflect the demands and views of our revered rabbis and great Torah scholars - was presented tonight, the members of the Council of Torah Sages have directed the representatives of Agudat Yisrael to step down from their coalition roles," the statement said.
Shortly after midnight, the Members of Knesset from Degel HaTorah officially announced their resignation from the government. MK Moshe Gafni, Deputy Minister Uri Maklev, MK Yaakov Asher, MK Yitzhak Pindrus, and MK Eliyahu Baruchi released a statement about their departure from the coalition, along with a group photo of them signing their resignation letters.
Among other implications, the move means that MK Gafni will conclude his tenure as Chairman of the Finance Committee.
Earlier, Rabbi Lando published a letter he sent to the faction's MKs. "Last night, after the fast and after it became clear that the Likud party does not intend to fulfill its commitment to the Haredi representatives and raise the draft law as agreed, Rabbi Dov Lando, the leader of the generation, wrote the following words by hand," the rabbi's office said.
"Since the authorities are showing their intention to further restrict the lives of Torah scholars in various ways, and in attempts to humiliate and trample them, and time and again fail to fulfill their commitments to regulate the legal status of yeshiva students and Torah scholars—who are the crown of creation and the secret to its existence," the letter stated.
"Therefore, my opinion is that we must immediately end our participation with the government and the coalition, including resigning from all the positions associated with it, and may God deliver us swiftly."
Rabbi Lando's office also reported that at his request, Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch also signed the letter. It was also stated that "in accordance with the instructions of our leader, the members of Knesset from Degel HaTorah will leave the government and the coalition today."
