Shas Party Criticizes Supreme Court Over Cancellation of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef Memorial Events

The Israeli Supreme Court has dismissed a petition filed by the Shas party challenging the cancellation of memorial events for Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, the late spiritual leader of the Sephardic Haredi community. Shas had argued that the decision to cancel the events, which were to be held at Binyanei Ha'uma in Jerusalem, was a deliberate slight against Rabbi Yosef's legacy.

Following the court's decision, several prominent Shas figures, including MK Moshe Abutbul and MK Michael Malchieli, voiced strong criticism. Abutbul accused the judges of "deliberately disrespecting the heritage of Maran (Rabbi Yosef)," asserting that "the result was known in advance." Malchieli echoed these sentiments, suggesting the court and the Attorney General were motivated by political reasons and "cannot tolerate a dignified conference for Maran."

Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef, the Sephardic Chief Rabbi and son of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, also condemned the ruling, stating, "The power of the left has grown, but we will not pay attention to them. We will hold celebrations in every synagogue and every community." The attorney representing Shas in the case, Guy Busi, claimed that the Attorney General's influence led to the cancellation.

Rabbi Yaakov Sinai, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef's grandson, who attended the Supreme Court hearing for the first time, expressed his dismay at the attempt to reduce his grandfather's stature to a political figure, emphasizing that "his life's work was entirely Torah."

In other news, the historic Rabbinical Court in Safed has been permanently closed and its operations moved to Tiberias, despite promises from the Chief Rabbi and public outcry. This closure leaves thousands of residents in the Galilee and Golan Heights without local access to rabbinical court services, a move reportedly pushed by the Ministry of Finance.