A meeting took place on Sunday night (24 October) between HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef Shlita and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu in the Rav’s Har Nof home. According to those involved in arranging the meeting, there was no special agenda, but simply a meeting to extend good wishes that did not fit the Yomtov schedule, in part due to the Gilad Shalit release, was held on Sunday, following Simchas Torah.

The prime minister wished to thank the Rav for Shas’ support during the Shalit ordeal.

There were conflicting reports throughout the night on Sunday, but the meeting did take place shortly before 11pm. The prime minister was escorted by Ministers Atias and Yishai. The prime minister was congratulated on his 62nd birthday, and he was asked to do his utmost towards obtaining the release of Ilan Grapel and Jonathan Pollard.

Despite conflicting reports, Defense Minister Ehud Barak and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz did not attend the meeting.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)