Yitzhak Yosef

In Photos: Israel's political leaders cast their ballots in 26th Knesset election

Israel's leading politicians cast their votes for the 26th Knesset at polling stations around the country.

President Isaac Herzog casts his ballot in the 26th Knesset election in Jerusalem.
Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef. September 06, 2026.

Former Sephardi chief rabbi Yitzhak Yosef denounces Ben-Gvir as election battle intensifies

 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.

MQG demands gov't open criminal probe into Shas spiritual leader after attack on attorney-general

Amid reports that the Shas Party could be willing to sit with him in government, Yashar Party head Gadi Eisenkot did not rule out that option entirely. Here, Eisenkot attends the Sagi Laws for Equality Confrence at the Peres Center in Jaffa earlier this week.

Why Gadi Eisenkot is rejecting the haredi political embrace that once helped Netanyahu win


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.

Haredim unwilling to draft are the new Zealots in Israel - opinion

Sadly, the response from the haredi rabbis is not the maturity and taking of responsibility. Rather, to consider any viewpoint other than their own, which h

 Ultra-orthodox Jews protest against being drafted into the IDF.

Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef calls on gov't to agree to hostage deal, says its a Jewish commandment

In addition to calling for a hostage deal, Rabbi Yosef said that it is permissible to release terrorists who committed criminal acts as part of the deal. 

 Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef speaks during the funeral of  Yehuda Deri, the chief rabbi of Beersheba in Jerusalem on July 9, 2024.

Two rabbis too many? A look at Israel's confusing chief rabbi system

Throughout the Jewish world, Israel stands out by having two chief rabbis. The ‘Magazine’ looks at why – and asks if this model should continue

 Israel's chief rabbis seen as a playing card in this AI-made illustration

Sephardi chief rabbi: Success of air defense is due to yeshivas, not the IDF

The Sephardi chief rabbi complained about hesder yeshiva leaders who had criticized his comments about the IDF.

 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.

Netanyahu is living in a delusional fantasy - opinion

The tragedy is that ultimately, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has lied to himself. Netanyahu, the conservative political realist, has entered into a phase of delusional fantasy.

 PRIME MINISTER Benjamin Netanyahu meets with US President Joe Biden in Tel Aviv in October.

Protesters present Sephardi chief rabbi with 'Dividing Israel' award

Anti-government protests will continue in Jerusalem on Tuesday for a third day since demonstrations in the capital began on Sunday.

 Protesters march toward Sephardi Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef's office. April 2, 2024