One might argue that one thing that aggravates and angers Degel Hatorah chairman MK Moshe Gafne more than Peleg protests outside his home, and that is the lack of achdus from within Degel.

It turns out that under the cover of the relative quiet outwardly, a revolution may be developing from within the Litvish party, as some are trying to challenge the political leadership and circumvent it by creating facts on the ground, Kikar Shabbos News is reporting.

On Thursday night, before Gafni went on a vacation, he asked to see the article written covering the meeting of the Degel Hatorah leadership which was held last Wednesday in Bnei Brak, to make certain it was written as he requested.

Gafne sat for five hours together with MKs Yaakov Asher and Uri Maklev during the afternoon hours with the editor of Yated, Yisrael Freidman, and journalist Sachi Munk, reviewing the article. However, on erev Shabbos, Gafne learned, to his chagrin, that changes were made regarding statements attributed to him pertaining to the elections in Jerusalem and Elad.

Gafni is currently leading a process by which Degel Hatorah is demanding that Shlomei Emunim abide by the existence of the agreement regarding the city of Elad, as it is written. At the meeting of the board, Gafni demanded that the agreement be honored and within a few days to try to locate a suitable candidate for Degel for the position and to formally announce his candidacy.

HaGaon Rav Yosef Efrati Shlita reportedly backs this demand. Gafni expected that this demand would be reflected in the party newspaper on Friday, but this was not the case.

The revolt in Degel Hatorah seems to be gaining support from day to day, but in reality, few have what it takes to stand openly in defiance of Gafne, like Deputy Bnei Brak Mayor Menachem Shapira, who does not accept the decision of HaRav Yehuda Silman Shlita, who was appointed by the party to meet with the relevant parties and mediate regarding the Elections in Elad and the effort by the incumbent, Yisrael Porush of Shlomei Emunim, to seek another term.

Shapira and others feel Gafne is shooting from the hip and not acting in the good of the party, while Gafne and his supporters are furious as the dissension from within only serves to strengthen Degel’s opponents.

“Who has ever heard of a political party that has a signed agreement without a reciprocal consideration is delusional and an unfortunate person,” said Gafne’s associates. On the other hand, the supporters of Porush argue: “This is an excellent mayor who helped the Litvish tzibur, and there is no reason to replace him, as he serves our interests and it is good that he continue for another term. Enough with poor political recklessness that is concerned with personal and not public interests.

“We have received quite a lot of loyalty from Shlomei, not only in Elad – but across the country, including the existence of the Norwegian agreement and joint control of Chinuch Atzmai, there is a price that must be paid, and we must pay it in an honorable way. The main thing is to safeguard the interests of the tzibur”.

“Porush is liked and loved, especially since there is no candidate in line, so we have to give up the agreement and give him another term in return for two consecutive terms for us in the coming years,” supporters of Porush say.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)