Yehuda Deri, chief rabbi of Beersheba and brother of Shas leader Aryeh Deri, passes away

Rabbi Yehuda Deri, 67, passed away at Hadassah Ein Karem Hospital in Jerusalem. A few days ago, he was hospitalized due to complications related to an infection, and his condition rapidly deteriorated.

Rabbi Yehuda Deri served as the chief rabbi of Beersheba and was a leading candidate for the position of chief Sephardi rabbi of Israel.

Aryeh Deri, leader of the Shas party and Yehuda's brother, released a statement expressing that Yehuda was everything to him – an older brother, a kindred spirit, and a true friend. He highlighted Yehuda's kindness and conflict-resolution skills, which made him a prominent candidate for the position of Chief Rabbi of Israel.