The main memorial event in memory of the late Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, which had been scheduled to take place at the International Convention Center in Jerusalem next month, has officially been canceled following a directive by Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara stating that the event cannot be held during an election period, as well as due to ongoing proceedings on the matter before the High Court of Justice.
In a letter sent by Religious Services Ministry Director General Yehuda Avidan to the Jerusalem Municipality and officials in his ministry, he stated that given the circumstances and the resulting time constraints, as reported by the event’s producer, there was no choice but to cancel the event.
“Following the producer’s announcement that, given the current time constraints and the Attorney General’s directive that at this stage the event in memory of Maran cannot be held because of the election campaign," Avidan wrote, adding that the ongoing legal proceedings were also a factor.
“Due to the continuation of the legal proceedings taking place in the High Court of Justice, and unfortunately, in the absence of any other option, I hereby inform you of the cancellation of the memorial gathering for Maran, which was scheduled to take place from October 6-8 at the International Convention Center."
Despite the cancellation announcement, the Religious Services Ministry clarified that the possibility of holding a different initiative in memory of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef remains under consideration.
Avidan noted that if a decision is made to hold an event in an alternative format, discussions and coordination will take place with the Jerusalem Municipality.