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| Rabbi Ovadia Yosef: Israelis gather for funeral | Rabbi Ovadia Yosef: Israelis gather for funeral |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Mourners have gathered in Jerusalem for the funeral of the influential Rabbi Ovadia Yosef. | Mourners have gathered in Jerusalem for the funeral of the influential Rabbi Ovadia Yosef. |
| The rabbi, who was the leader of the Sephardic Jewish community, died earlier on Monday at the age of 93. | The rabbi, who was the leader of the Sephardic Jewish community, died earlier on Monday at the age of 93. |
| Orthodox Jews wearing black clothing congregated outside the seminary where he studied. Israeli police said more than 500,000 people were participating in the funeral. | Orthodox Jews wearing black clothing congregated outside the seminary where he studied. Israeli police said more than 500,000 people were participating in the funeral. |
| An ambulance service spokesperson said 40 people had received minor injuries. | |
| Crowds of people could be seen surrounding the van carrying Rabbi Yosef's body. Streets have been closed off and thousands of additional police deployed. | Crowds of people could be seen surrounding the van carrying Rabbi Yosef's body. Streets have been closed off and thousands of additional police deployed. |
| The rabbi was a leading Torah scholar and arbiter of Halacha, or Jewish law. | The rabbi was a leading Torah scholar and arbiter of Halacha, or Jewish law. |
| He was also the spiritual leader of the Shas party, which he founded in 1984 to boost representation for Jews of Middle Eastern and North African origin. | He was also the spiritual leader of the Shas party, which he founded in 1984 to boost representation for Jews of Middle Eastern and North African origin. |
| Until then, Israel's government and religious institutions had tended to be dominated by Ashkenazi Jews - those of European descent. | Until then, Israel's government and religious institutions had tended to be dominated by Ashkenazi Jews - those of European descent. |
| Though it is currently in opposition, Shas became a kingmaker in several coalition governments. | Though it is currently in opposition, Shas became a kingmaker in several coalition governments. |
| Shas leader Arye Deri wept uncontrollably as he expressed his grief. | Shas leader Arye Deri wept uncontrollably as he expressed his grief. |
| "How will we remain alone. Who will lead us,'' he asked, referring to the rabbi as "our father". | "How will we remain alone. Who will lead us,'' he asked, referring to the rabbi as "our father". |
| Israel's President Shimon Peres had visited the rabbi in hospital as his condition deteriorated on Monday. | Israel's President Shimon Peres had visited the rabbi in hospital as his condition deteriorated on Monday. |
| The president and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were both present for the funeral, which is taking place on the day of the rabbi's death in accordance with Jewish custom. | The president and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were both present for the funeral, which is taking place on the day of the rabbi's death in accordance with Jewish custom. |
| Controversial comments | Controversial comments |
| Mr Netanyahu expressed "deep sorrow" at the news of Rabbi Yosef's death, describing him as "among the greatest rabbis of our generation". | Mr Netanyahu expressed "deep sorrow" at the news of Rabbi Yosef's death, describing him as "among the greatest rabbis of our generation". |
| "Rabbi Ovadia was a giant in Torah and Jewish law and a teacher for tens of thousands," he said in a statement. | "Rabbi Ovadia was a giant in Torah and Jewish law and a teacher for tens of thousands," he said in a statement. |
| "The Jewish People have lost one of the wisest men of this generation." | "The Jewish People have lost one of the wisest men of this generation." |
| The Iraqi-born cleric was also known for his controversial comments about Arabs, secular Jews, liberals, women and gay people. | The Iraqi-born cleric was also known for his controversial comments about Arabs, secular Jews, liberals, women and gay people. |
| He once likened Palestinians to snakes, and in 2010 called for Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to "vanish from our world". | He once likened Palestinians to snakes, and in 2010 called for Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to "vanish from our world". |
| However, he also encouraged Israeli politicians to engage in the peace process with the Palestinians and by abstaining, helped secure the passage of the first Oslo peace accord through the Knesset. | However, he also encouraged Israeli politicians to engage in the peace process with the Palestinians and by abstaining, helped secure the passage of the first Oslo peace accord through the Knesset. |
| President Abbas, meeting visiting Israeli MPs in Ramallah on Monday, asked them to send his condolences to Rabbi Yosef's family. | President Abbas, meeting visiting Israeli MPs in Ramallah on Monday, asked them to send his condolences to Rabbi Yosef's family. |
| The rabbi's son, Yitzhak Yosef, is the Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel. | The rabbi's son, Yitzhak Yosef, is the Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel. |