Supreme Court Upholds Cancellation of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef Memorial Funding

Israel's Supreme Court on Wednesday decided not to intervene in the Attorney General's decision to cancel state funding for the annual memorial event (Hilula) of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef. The funding was halted due to concerns of political propaganda during an election period. The court ruled that the Attorney General's decision was valid, despite a law that designates an official day of remembrance for Rabbi Yosef.

Shas party chairman Aryeh Deri criticized the ruling, stating it was not just an attack on his party but on a "vast traditional and faith-based public" whose heritage and Torah leaders are treated with "condescension and discrimination." Deri vowed that the decision would strengthen their resolve to reform the justice system and return power to the people and their elected officials, asserting that neither the Supreme Court nor the Attorney General could stop Rabbi Yosef's legacy.

The memorial event, held annually, commemorates the late spiritual leader of the Shas party and a prominent Sephardic rabbi. The cancellation of state funding has sparked debate regarding the separation of religion and state, especially during election cycles.