After a turbulent week in Degel HaTorah that saw veteran Knesset members Moshe Gafni and Uri Maklev removed from their positions, Rav Dov Landau issued an unusual video statement Tuesday declaring that the decision to overhaul the party’s Knesset representation was his alone.

The rare video was released from the home of Rav Landau amid widespread public criticism and claims that political operatives and other figures within Degel HaTorah were responsible for the dramatic changes.

Rav Landau, the rosh yeshiva, directly rejected those reports and made clear that he personally decided on the changes, which included the removal of Gafni and Maklev and the placement of Yaakov Asher at the head of the Degel HaTorah list.

“That is a complete lie,” Rav Landau said, responding to allegations that political operatives were behind the move. “I alone decided.”

Rav Landau then raised his voice as he addressed the controversy.

“Forgive me for speaking loudly, because a lie is answered loudly!” he said.

The extraordinary statement came after days of intense criticism surrounding the manner in which the changes were carried out. Some figures within Degel HaTorah had claimed that political operatives were responsible for engineering the ouster of the longtime lawmakers.

Against that backdrop, Rav Landau departed from his usual practice and personally addressed the controversy, seeking to put an end to speculation about who was behind the decision.

His message was unequivocal: The decision to replace the veteran Degel HaTorah lawmakers was his own.

{Matzav.com}