Shas Party Petitions Supreme Court Against Attorney General's Decision

The Shas party has filed an urgent petition with the Supreme Court of Israel against the Attorney General's decision to prevent a state-sponsored conference commemorating Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, the late spiritual leader of the Sephardi Haredi community. Shas argues that the conference, mandated by law to be organized by the Ministry of Religious Services, should proceed as planned. The party contends that elections do not suspend Israeli law and criticizes what it calls selective enforcement, pointing out that state memorial events for Yitzhak Rabin are scheduled just five days before the upcoming elections, while the Rabbi Yosef commemoration is being postponed.

Shas asserts that this differential treatment raises serious concerns about biased and political application of election regulations. The party stated that the Attorney General's decision harms the feelings of hundreds of thousands of Jews who considered Rabbi Yosef their rabbi and guide. They emphasized that Rabbi Yosef's legacy cannot be erased or diminished, nor can the affection for him be misconstrued as election propaganda, adding that there are limits to insensitivity and detachment.