Maran HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef Shlita on the first day of chol hamoed in Eretz Yisrael hosted President Shimon Peres in his Har Nof sukka. The two discussed a number of pertinent issues pertaining to Sukkos and current events, including the Iranian threat.

The president commented that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is the Haman of today and that he is particularly pleased to visit the rav’s sukka today as we are “strong” and “Hashem is at our side”, explaining we see the tzoros taking place in that country at present, “the beginning of the demise of the modern-day Haman”. He also cited the importance of achdus in Am Yisrael.

Mr. Peres also spoke of the need for Israel to continue hand-in-hand with the United States vis-à-vis Iran and not to oppose America’s position.

Accompanying the president were Kosel Rav Shmuel Rabinowitz, Deputy Prime Minister Eli Yishai and Housing Minister Ariel Atias.

From there, Mr. Peres visited the chief rabbis in their sukkas.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)