The Foreign Ministry has expressed condolences at the passing of retired senior diplomat Zvi Gabbay. Director-General Yuval Rotem said Gabbay "devoted his talents and best years to serve the State of Israel during his thirty-nine years in the Foreign Ministry. During his service, Gabai served in a wide range of positions, but most of all his central role will be remembered in promoting international awareness of Arab Jewish refugees."
Spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon said, "Zvi Gabbay served in top positions in Israel and abroad, translated literature and poetry from Arabic and promoted tirelessly the cause of the Jews expelled from Arab countries after 1948. He will be sorely missed."