1.
I arrived at the room of MK Moshe Gafni, chairman of the Finance Committee, after an emotional conversation with one of the kidnapped family members.
""Gaffney never interrupted us during his committee discussions. Even when sometimes there were those who exaggerated, expanded on things, and didn't stop talking, he listened, showed concern, so that they would learn from him," he told me.
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According to him, it didn't make the headlines, "because you know how it is. When a person bites a dog, it makes headlines... When a committee chairman behaves brutally towards the family members of kidnapped people, it makes sensational headlines, but when someone 'menachs,' what's the headline about that?""
So I arrived at Gafni's room in the Knesset building to make repairs.
Because when a good word comes, it just comes.
2.
Of course, naturally, when you burst into an open door, you take the opportunity to ask 'just a little more tip'. God forbid, not about the draft law, I didn't even try, I guessed in advance what he would answer ("I don't understand this" or another clever answer). Indeed, Gafni, and so is MK Uri Maklev, are silent on the subject of the draft law, even though both of them, rest assured, are thoroughly versed in every detail of the law. This is what the great men of Israel instructed them: silence on this subject is beautiful. And you don't have to be a great sage to understand why.
I had a conversation with an Agudat Israel official, I tell him, who told me that Rabbi Magor's position is that he is inclined to dissolve the government if the conscription law is not enacted. In other words, a budget will not be passed and the government will be dissolved?
""I have no idea, we will receive instructions from the rabbis.".
As I thought. Still, the question is related, somehow and indirectly, to the issue of conscription. But I didn't let up.
If Gore votes against the budget, which means one finger in the Knesset, let's say two... does that mean, in your opinion, that he will go out with them? 'Degel'?
""This is not my decision, it is the rabbis' decision""
Could it be, I asked, that Deri simply got ahead of himself and issued a threat, because he realized that the Ashkenazim were going for a breakup and issued a 'preliminary' statement?
There is no answer. I'm trying from another direction.
What's the atmosphere like in the Finance Committee? I was interested. Like 'the end of days' or like there's still about two years left for the government?
""The atmosphere is one of coalition and opposition, and the opposition feels stronger, but not beyond that.".
3.
At this point I come to the topic for which I came to the room - the abductees.
At the beginning of each committee meeting, I understand that you give the families of the kidnapped the right to speak. How much time do you give them, or do you not limit them?
""I don't limit them.".
Even if they want 5 hours?
""Usually it's not a long time, but there are exceptional cases where it takes a long time.".
And you don't stop them...
""not!""
Like that. Unambiguous. And rest assured, from the information I have, it often took two whole hours. I wish it on everyone.
Where does this come from, I'm interested.
""This stems from the fact that we feel very sorry for the families of the kidnapped, it's something terrible and horrible! It's something that can't be described! And everyone in our community, the entire Haredi public, is for the families of the kidnapped!""
And also in favor of ending the war, if necessary?
""yes!".
He is very determined.
So you're in favor of Phase II, including ending the war?
""Yes!" Again, he is very adamant.
And what about the statements that Hamas will later return to terrorism?
""There is no such thing in Judaism. If there is a life insurance policy, we will not postpone it now because it might be harmful in the future.".
''Berry' and 'Shma'?
""It's more than 'Berry' and 'Shma'. We simply don't postpone the rescue of now.".
4.
Have you tried talking to Knesset members, since they confronted families of kidnapped people in their committees? Yes, they arrested them, stopped discussions in the middle...
""No, no, I didn't interfere with anyone else. I did what I saw fit, I didn't campaign about it, nor did I campaign about the fact that I spoke with the Prime Minister several times about this issue of releasing the kidnapped, about the fact that it is a matter of life and death and that it should be of paramount importance.".
And what did he tell you?
""He promised, 'Yes, I will release.' But it was a process.".
A process of maturation?
""In the conversations we had, he told me, 'I will release them,' 'I am doing everything to release them.'".
Also in May of last year, or did he think it was too early then because the war still had to continue?
""I don't know how to make the diagnosis.".
And do you think he was afraid to take steps because of his coalition or was he not at peace with himself at the time?
""I don't examine kidneys and hearts.".
So what happened now that he's done with it? Trump?
""He told me a long time ago that he was making every effort to release them. I talked to him about it all the time.".
5.
Speaking of the desecration of the Sabbath, which resulted from the transactions...
Did you try to talk to the Prime Minister, to talk to the Qataris, that the releases not be carried out on Shabbat? That is, if possible, not to insist on it because it is clear that it is permissible to release on Shabbat as well, it is a matter of life and death. But did they try to ask for Friday or Sunday?
""I tried. I said. But the prime minister said 'it's impossible.' What's more, I was angry that they issued a statement on Shabbat. I protested about it at Yated.".
Both the Prime Minister and the President issued statements on Shabbat. That it really is no longer a matter of life and death...
""I didn't notice the president.".
6.
And back to petty politics.
What do you think about Ben Gvir leaving the government? Is that wise?
""The only thing I know is that it's not wise for him to go up to the Temple Mount" (not a small politician, Gafni...)
But this is not new...
""I don't give grades to those who join the coalition or leave it.""
Will it have an impact, or will the coalition do just fine without him?
""I don't know.".
But there is a feeling of a house of cards collapsing...
""Yes, it's not easy...""
Then he adds a sentence, which should be taken with great care... "We also don't celebrate being in the coalition.".
I hasten to remind him of the dormitory law, which automatically cancels the discount for families with children... You're probably inundated with inquiries, faxes...
""yes".
He hopes, of course, for some solution, for the dormitory law as well as the conscription law. Are you asking me? I'm really not sure about that.
It was not for nothing that the Prime Minister asked him, just before flying overseas to meet with Donald Trump, to 'look after the coalition for me.' And he also left Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fox here.
Because sometimes, one card that comes out of the tower brings down the entire stack. And Ben Gvir could be the final nail in the coffin for Netanyahu's multi-million dollar government...
