MK Moshe Gafne, chairman of Degel Hatorah and the Knesset Finance Committee, spoke with KAN Reshet Bet. Following are portions of the interview.

What is your platform regarding light drugs?
I understand very well why I am in Knesset and for us/me, social issues are the most important.

So, you are avoiding the question
Yes, I am. This is not what interests me. I am concerned with a factory that might close and loss of jobs. With 28 days to elections, these are the things that occupy me, factories in Sderot and elsewhere.

This was the case with the Pri Galil and Israel Military Industries and other factors. I took this upon myself and this is where the focus remains, to save jobs in many peripheral communities as the state spent over NIS 2 billion.

What do you think about the investigations against PM Netanyahu?
There is a difference between a cabinet minister and prime minister. We operate according to the law. Over recent years, we have gone with Netanyahu. We would like to see a prime minister who is a modest person and not dealing with some of the issues with which PM Netanyahu is being charged. However, there is a difference and if a cabinet minister is charged, he must leave his post.

If a prime minister is found innocent after leaving his post, then the government has already been changed. If one is found guilty, this is a different story. Regarding Deputy Health Minister Litzman, he works hard and is always working to assist. I am not familiar with the allegations against him and I hope that he has done nothing wrong as he says, and this will play out. If the people give him their trust and he is elected, we will weigh options to prevent his being placed on trial.

If the public elects Netanyahu, giving him trust, then there is room to discuss the matter even if indicted in the cases discussed.
Yes, we will have to address it if and when it occurs and there is precedent in Israel and Western nations. We have to familiarize ourselves with the suspicions against him and the outcome of elections and see. These are not serious charges like spying, as was a recent case involving a former minister.

Is Netanyahu good for chareidim?
He is not good and not bad. He is the best among the options today. Look at the foreign policy. They said in the beginning of his term ‘Israel is isolated’ and look how many doors he has opened. Ditto for his financial policies. There is no one else, plain and simple.

What if Gantz is elected?
We have been in opposition before and will do it again. He has a rotation agreement and I am not sure if the two see eye-to-eye. We are judging each person.

What about Lapid?
Don’t mention Lapid’s name. We will judge each candidate. We are not against him because he is with Lapid, but he has adopted the Yesh Atid platform. The two are alike today.

We will be in opposition if compelled, and I have been there, and quite honestly, it was quite comfortable.

Gafne was also interviewed by Mendy Rizel on ‘Radio Drom’, Southern Radio. He was asked how he believes the next coalition will look and if Degel Hatorah is with Netanyahu.

Gafne:
We are with Netanyahu as has been the case and this is what most of our tzibur wants, to go with the right. Regarding Gantz, the party is anti-religious, and we are not going with them. The main reason not to go with Blue and White is the party is not suited. We have already seen Yair Lapid as a failed finance minister.

It is not Gantz or Lapid now, as they united and there are personalities on the list who we cannot sit with in government. We are with Netanyahu. It is simply, it is the reality. I hope B’ezras Hashem he will be the next prime minister.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)