Israeli AG approves Ovadia Yosef memorial event before election

Israeli Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has informed the Ministry of Religious Affairs that the memorial ceremony for the late Shas spiritual leader, Ovadia Yosef, may proceed before the upcoming election, provided it is funded through private sources. The ruling follows concerns regarding the potential for the event to be used for electioneering purposes. To address these concerns, the Attorney General proposed splitting the planned ceremony into two separate events. This measure is intended to ensure compliance with election laws and prevent the political exploitation of religious commemorations. According to the Times of Israel, the proposal serves as a mechanism to balance the observance of the memorial with the legal restrictions imposed during the election period.