Moshe Gafni facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Moshe Gafni
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| משה גפני | |
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| Faction represented in the Knesset | |
| 1988–1992 | Degel HaTorah |
| 1994–1996 | United Torah Judaism |
| 1996 | Degel HaTorah |
| 1996–1998 | United Torah Judaism |
| 1999–2005 | United Torah Judaism |
| 2005–2006 | Degel HaTorah |
| 2006–2008 | United Torah Judaism |
| 2008–2009 | Degel HaTorah |
| 2009– | United Torah Judaism |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 5 May 1952 Tel Aviv, Israel |
Moshe Gafni, born on May 5, 1952, is an important politician in Israel. He is a member of the Knesset, which is like Israel's parliament. He leads a political party called United Torah Judaism, which represents a group of Jewish people known as Haredi Jews of Ashkenazi background.
Contents
About Moshe Gafni's Early Life
Moshe Gafni was born in Tel Aviv, a big city in Israel. He went to a special Jewish school called a yeshiva. Later, he moved to Ofakim and became the head of a Kollel, which is a place where married men study Jewish texts. Today, he lives in Bnei Brak. He is married and has three children.
Moshe Gafni's Political Journey
Starting in the Knesset
Moshe Gafni first became a member of the Knesset in 1988. He was part of the Degel HaTorah party. In 1990, he was chosen to be the Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs in the government led by Yitzhak Shamir.
Working with United Torah Judaism
For the 1992 elections, Degel HaTorah joined another party, Agudat Yisrael. Together, they formed an alliance called United Torah Judaism. This group won four seats in the Knesset. Moshe Gafni did not get a seat right away. But in 1994, he entered the Knesset as part of a special agreement. This agreement allowed different members to take turns serving in the Knesset.
A similar agreement happened after the 1996 elections. Moshe Gafni served for the first half of that term, until 1998.
Serving Full Terms
Early elections in 1999 meant that Moshe Gafni returned to the Knesset sooner than expected. This time, there was no turn-taking agreement. So, he served his full term. He was re-elected in 2003 and again in 2006.
Later, his party, Degel HaTorah, separated from Agudat Yisrael. Moshe Gafni was then chosen to be the leader of his party's group in the Knesset. In the 18th Knesset, he became the chairman of the important financial committee.
Moshe Gafni's Views
Moshe Gafni is known for his strong opinions on religious matters in Israel. He believes in protecting traditional Jewish values. For example, he has spoken out against ideas that he feels go against the Torah, which is a central text in Judaism.
In 2016, he made comments about Reform Judaism and Conservative Judaism. He said he would not accept a decision about a special prayer area at the Western Wall. He described Reform Jews as "a group of clowns who stab the Holy Torah."
In 2023, Moshe Gafni and another politician, Ya'akov Asher, suggested a new law. This law would have made it illegal to try and convert people to Christianity in Israel.
