Shas Vows to Fight Election Commission Over Canceled Rabbi Ovadyah Yosef Memorial Event

The Shas party has vowed to appeal the Attorney General's decision to cancel a government-sponsored memorial event for Rabbi Ovadyah Yosef, the late spiritual leader of the Sephardic Haredi community. Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara ruled that government-sponsored events should be kept separate from the election period and rescheduled for after October 27. Shas called the decision "defiant" and "without any logical justification," stating it is a "severe blow to millions of tradition-keepers" and a "blatant trampling" of the Rabbi Ovadyah Yosef Heritage Law, which passed unanimously in the Knesset. The party announced it would petition the Central Elections Committee against the "arbitrary decision," declaring, "Shas will not give up and will not remain silent in honor of Maran!"

In a letter to the Ministry of Religious Services, the Attorney General's office clarified that there is no fundamental objection to holding events commemorating Rabbi Yosef, but the government event should not take place close to the election date. The letter acknowledged the "public importance of commemorating Maran Rabbi Ovadyah Yosef," whose death anniversary falls on October 14 this year. However, the Attorney General distinguished between commemoration events and a government event that could be perceived as politically motivated due to its proximity to the elections.

The Ministry of Religious Services had proposed holding a "theoretical conference" in Rabbi Yosef's honor between October 6-8. This event, mandated by law to commemorate his legacy, was expected to include prominent rabbis and media activities. The Attorney General's office believes that due to the timing, this conference should be postponed until after the general elections on October 27, 2026.