Israel’s former chief Rabbi Eliahou Bakshi-Doron, who was known for promoting interfaith dialogue, died Sunday of the new coronavirus, the Shaare Tzedek hospital in Jerusalem said.
Bakshi-Doron, 79, was the Sephardic chief rabbi of Israel between 1993 and 2003. Born in Jerusalem in 1941, he was chief rabbi of the northern port city of Haifa for 18 years before being elected chief Rabbi of Israel.
“His essence was that of reason, tolerance and love for the people and the state [of Israel],” said Netanyahu of Bakshi-Doron. “I am in deep mourning, along with all the people of Israel,” added the prime minister.
