Degel Hatorah Chairman, MK Moshe Gafni, gave a special interview this evening (Sunday) on the "Patriots" program on Channel 14, against the backdrop of the crisis shaking the coalition and his announcements about disengaging from the religious bloc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the beginning of the interview, Gafni referred to the dormitory law that passed the plenum in a preliminary reading and the clashes with the opposition and MKs from the coalition who opposed the proposal. He attacked Attorney Gali Baharav-Miara: "For this, it was said, 'Woe to the wicked and woe to his neighbor.' Whatever she says, she is above the law.".<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gafni addressed the Haredi's criticism of the police and the threats to end cooperation. "We are a state of law, and what according to the law needs to be done will be done. There is no question about that. But it has been accepted since the establishment of the state that there is cooperation between the leadership of the Haredi public and the police, with the commanders of the districts and regions. If you want us to cooperate, our leadership together with you, on communal and municipal issues - do not arrest the Torah students.".<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Regarding the persecution of the Torah world, he said: "It's heading for social chaos. We won't remain silent about it. I don't want to make too big of a statement just yet. But we live in a country where anything that concerns the Haredi public - we immediately stop it.".<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gafni referred to specific cases in which Haredim were physically and verbally attacked on the streets. "I am aware of this. But despite what the bureaucracy and the media do to us, I want to tell you that the people are with us. I say this with certainty. There are very many people who are getting closer to Judaism. We feel and hear it.".<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to him, "Those who study Torah and their Torah is their art - should continue to study. Those who do not study Torah - we do not tell them to go to the army because we see what happens there. I cannot say such a thing.".<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gafni said that about two weeks ago he came to Netanyahu to inquire with him whether he could pass the law, but did not receive a clear answer from him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gafni was asked about the possibility of passing the conscription law and turning the wheel back. "I won't tell Netanyahu to pass the law - let him submit it. I won't tell him what to do, he knows. I've already said it several times. I don't want this law, but in the situation that has arisen - I want the law to be there.".<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The chairman of Degel Hatorah was asked what he did with Eisenkot in their joint meeting. "I meet with everyone, there's a lot to talk about. I'm the oldest MK in the Knesset, along with Netanyahu. I've never gone to a left-wing coalition. I've always gone to the traditional public that's on the right. But if we have to endure another law every moment... in the end, my friends are on the right.".<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He added that the reason the Haredim went with the right is because "we want to be with a public that wants to be with us. Some in religious Zionism and the Likud don't understand what this is about and the deep connection between the right-wing public and the Haredi public.". <\/p>\n\n\n\n