Yitzhak Yosef

Shas spiritual leader appears to open door to Eisenkot government, says Netanyahu ‘won’t repent’

The rare remarks suggested that Shas could potentially be open to joining a government led by Eisenkot, raising questions over the longstanding haredi alliance with Netanyahu's bloc.

Head of Shas party Aryeh Deri and Shas spiritual leader Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef visit at the scene of suspected arson and vandalism at a Jerusalem synagogue which is often frequented by Rabbi Yosef, June 8, 2025.
 ARYE DERI sits in the Knesset plenum.

Shas spiritual leader orders support for coalition legislation in exchange for haredi-backed bills

Shas spiritual leader Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, during a weekly teaching at the Yazdim synagogue in Jerusalem, on June 7, 2025.

Shas spiritual leader: Iran deal is punishment for draft dodger arrests, A-G is 'wicked woman'

 Shas spiritual leader and former Sephardic chief rabbi, Yitzhak Yosef, seen during a weekly lecture at the Yazdim synagogue in Jerusalem, June 07, 2025; illustrative.

'May God kill, destroy the judges,' Yitzhak Yosef denounces ruling restricting Western Wall prayers


Netanyahu an ‘atheist,’ former chief rabbi says, accusing IDF of targeting Sephardim

After a week of of demonstrations outside a military prison housing haredi detainees, former Sephardi chief rabbi slammed Netanyahu and Shas leader Arye Deri of stalling the haredi draft bill.

 Shas spiritual leader and former Sephardic chief rabbi, Yitzhak Yosef, seen during a weekly lecture at the Yazdim synagogue in Jerusalem, June 07, 2025; illustrative.

Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef's attacks on Edelstein ignore his sacrifices for Judaism - opinion

Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef seems to ignore who Yuli Edelstein really is: someone who physically risked his life for the observance of Torah and mitzvot.

 Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef during a shaharit prayer in the northern Israeli city of Tzfat, September 17, 2024.

IDF soldiers killed due to yeshivas 'neglecting Torah study', former chief rabbi claims

Yitzhak Yosef condoled the families of the five soldiers killed in Gaza's Beit Hanun in an open letter, calling for increased Torah study, implicitly denouncing haredi draft attempts.

 Shas spiritual leader and former Sephardic chief rabbi, Yitzhak Yosef, seen during a weekly lecture at the Yazdim synagogue in Jerusalem, June 07, 2025; illustrative.

Israel Police arrest suspect in arson attack on Jerusalem synagogue

Shas spiritual leader and former chief rabbi Yitzhak Yosef's home synagogue was set ablaze early Sunday morning.

 Head of Shas party Aryeh Deri and Shas spiritual leader Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef visit at the scene of suspected arson and vandalism at a Jerusalem synagogue which is often frequented by Rabbi Yosef, June 8, 2025.

Arson attack highlights IDF draft law, calls for unity

A rabbi added, “This will not divide us; no one will ever divide us. We are one nation. We have faced many challenges and will face more, but we will get through this by loving each other.”

 Head of Shas Aryeh Deri and spiritual leader of Shas Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef arrive at the scene of suspected arson and vandalism at a Jerusalem synagogue which is often frequented by Rabbi Yosef, June 08, 2025.

Police probe as Jerusalem synagogue blaze deemed 'unequivocally' arson, cross sprayed on door

The police discovered images of Christian crosses, spray-painted onto the door of a house near the scene.

 Image showing the damage caused by a fire at a Jerusalem synagogue in the Sanhedria neighbourhood on Sunday, June 8, 2025.

Likud MK initiates process to impeach MK Ayman Odeh

“His [Edelstein’s] soul is an abomination, he was a Prisoner of Zion and came to the land [of Israel], it is too bad he came, he should have remained there," Yosef said.

Likud MK Yuli Edelstein attends a a plenum session in the Knesset, in Jerusalem, June 4, 2025

Lapid, Shas ultra-Orthodox leader, discuss future political cooperation

“Our parents in heaven, listening to this conversation, must be proud," Lapid said in response to Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef.

 Yair Lapid speaking at a faction meeting, January 13, 2025.

Rabbi Yosef claims gay Knesset speaker blocking ultra-Orthodox draft law - report

The spiritual leader of Shas attributes the government's failure to pass ultra-Orthodox military exemptions to Amir Ohana's role as Knesset speaker, while his office denies he made such statements.

 Sephardi Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef sells the hametz (leavened food) of the State of Israel to Arab Israeli Mr Jaber before the upcoming Passover holiday in Jerusalem, April 21, 2024.

'Throw them in the toilet': Yitzhak Yosef urges students to 'tear up' draft orders

"What do we have without our Torah? Why did we come here—to become secular? If a draft notice arrives, tear it up. Do you have a toilet at home? Flush it down,” Yosef said.

 Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef during a shaharit prayer in the northern Israeli city of Tzfat, September 17, 2024.