Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has issued guidance regarding a planned memorial ceremony for the late Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, the spiritual leader of the Shas party. The event, which was scheduled to take place shortly before the national election, faced scrutiny over concerns that it could be perceived as an improper use of public resources to boost the political party’s profile.

In a letter addressed to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Attorney General proposed a compromise to address these concerns. She suggested that the ceremony be split into two distinct events. By separating the official memorial from other activities and ensuring the event is funded through private means rather than state coffers, the organizers can proceed without violating regulations against electioneering. The ruling aims to balance the public interest in honoring the late spiritual leader with the legal requirement to maintain neutrality in state-funded activities during an active election cycle. The decision effectively allows the Shas party to move forward with its commemoration plans while mitigating the risk of legal challenges regarding the use of public funds for political gain.