Senior Citizens Minister Uri Orbach (Habayit Hayehudi), 54, died on Monday at the Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem, where he had been hospitalized for the last month and a half. Though the details of his illness were unknown to the public, Orbach had suffered from a serious blood disorder for years. He was hospitalized in early January, after his condition took a turn for the worse. His condition deteriorated as the weeks went by, taking another, significant turn for the worse on Sunday evening. Doctors had fought for his life throughout the night, but he succumbed to his illness on Monday morning. Shortly after he was first hospitalized, Orbach had his ministerial responsibilities transferred to Habayit Hayehudi leader and Economy and Trade Minister Naftali Bennett. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu eulogized Orbach, saying, "I mourn the loss of Uri Orbach, minister, journalist, philosopher, and Jewish patriot. Uri won the hearts of everyone with his charm and wisdom. He was incredibly sensitive to people, a sensitivity he brought with him to the Senior Citizens Ministry, and to anything he took interest in. "He was always extraordinarily witty, but there was never any malice to him. I have never met anyone who knew him and did not love him. Last night I bade him farewell at the hospital, with a deep sense of grief and loss. Uri will be greatly missed by his family, his friends in government, and all of Israel." Bennett also eulogized Orbach, saying: "I have lost my elder brother, a man of integrity and wisdom, of laughter and of earnest, a man of courage and vision. There was no one else like him in the cynical world of politics. He will be sorely missed." In a post on his Facebook page, Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein wrote, "If there was ever anyone who could bridge over political gaps it was Uri. He was a true friend to many, and his contribution to political and public discourse in Israel will be greatly spoken of in the future. It is a great loss for us all." Meretz Chairwoman Zehava Galon said, "I am mourning the loss of Uri Orbach, a pleasant, decent, witty man, with a unique worldview, who excelled as a parliamentarian, and was always a worthy adversary." Prior to becoming involved in politics, Orbach was a journalist, publicist and author. He became a Knesset member for Habayit Hayehudi in 2009. In the 1980s, he was one of the founders of religious children's newspaper Otiyot ("Letters"), which he also edited, among several other publications. Orbach also co-founded ultra-Orthodox radio station Kol Chai Radio and was a political columnist at Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper. Before entering politics, he also penned several children's books. Orbach is survived by his wife and four children. His funeral was scheduled to be held on Monday afternoon in his hometown of Modiin.
