Israeli Pensioners Affairs Minister Uri Orbach of the Bayit Yehudi party died unexpectedly Monday afternoon at Jerusalem’s Shaare Tzedek Medical Center following a brief battle with a chronic blood disease. He was 54 and leaves behind his wife Michal and their four children. Orbach entered politics in 2009 following a successful career as a humorist in radio and print media, where he was a pioneer in representing the National Religious/Modern Orthodox community. Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein eulogized Orbach during a special session of the Knesset Monday, saying he “was above all arguments, was a pleasant person with a remarkable sense of humor…He had great respect for every man and I, like all of us, had respect and immense appreciation for this man.” His sentiments were echoed by several other lawmakers from across the political spectrum. Read More
