After fighting a difficult illness, Bayit Yehudi Minister of Senior Citizen Affairs Uri Orbach Z”L was niftar in Shaare Zedek Medical Center on Monday, 27 Shevat, a month before his 55th birthday. The minster was admitted to the hospital about a month ago with pneumonia and his condition continued to deteriorate as the illness attacked his body’s immune system.

Orbach, who spent a good part of his career as a radio show host, is credited with the restructuring of the National Religious Party, which is today’s Bayit Yehudi. A well respected member of the dati leumi community, his efforts resulted in Naftali Bennett taking over the party and earning 12 seats in the current Knesset.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu expressed his deep sorrow over the passing of Minister Uri Orbach: “I mourn the passing of Minister Uri Orbach, a writer, a journalist, a spiritual man and a Jewish patriot. Uri won over all who listened to him with his charm, knowledge and deep wisdom which stemmed from the depths of his soul. He had a deep sensitivity for every human being, a sensitivity that he brought with him as Senior Citizens Minister and to all his endeavors.
“Despite his exceptional qualities, there was no malice in him. I never met anyone who knew him and did not love him. Last night, alongside members of his family, I said goodbye to him at the hospital with a profound sense of grief and loss. Uri will be sorely missed by his dear family, his Cabinet colleagues and the State of Israel.”

The levaya will take place in Modi’in at 16:30.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)