FIERY ATTACK: Gafni Blasts Bennett and Smotrich Before Thousands in Haifa, Accuses Them of Targeting Yeshiva Bochurim

FIERY ATTACK: Gafni Blasts Bennett and Smotrich Before Thousands in Haifa, Accuses Them of Targeting Yeshiva Bochurim

Degel HaTorah chairman MK Moshe Gafni launched a sharp attack against Naftali Bennett and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich during a campaign appearance in Haifa, accusing the two Religious Zionist politicians of pursuing policies aimed at drafting yeshiva bochurim into the Israeli military. Speaking before thousands of members of Haifa’s chareidi communities just days ahead of the upcoming elections, Gafni warned that the political struggle over the future of bnei yeshiva remains a central issue facing the Torah community. Gafni singled out Bennett, accusing him of making the conscription of yeshiva students the centerpiece of his political agenda. “There is someone who wears a knitted yarmulke, his name is Naftali Bennett, and all he intends to do in Eretz Yisroel is draft yeshiva bochurim. That’s the only thing he has to talk about all the time,” Gafni declared. The Degel HaTorah leader then turned his criticism toward Smotrich, grouping him with Bennett and other politicians whom he accused of failing to protect the interests of the chareidi community. “Together with him is Bezalel Smotrich, another knitted yarmulke. And there are others. Most of them are like that. And people need to know that we care about Am Yisroel, and they don’t. We will stand guard with all our strength,” Gafni said. The remarks came during a campaign visit to Haifa, where Gafni addressed large crowds of chareidi residents as political parties intensified their efforts to mobilize supporters ahead of Election Day. Gafni’s comments highlighted the continuing tensions between chareidi political representatives and figures within the Religious Zionist political camp over military conscription and the status of yeshiva students. With the elections approaching, Gafni pledged that Degel HaTorah would continue fighting efforts to impose military service on bnei yeshiva and would remain vigilant in defending the interests of the Torah community. {Matzav.com}