Former minister buried at Jerusalem’s Mount of Olives
Yaakov Neeman, who died at 77, praised as a ‘man of wisdom and reason’ and a lover of Israel in eulogies prior to his funeral
Former justice and finance minister Yaakov Neeman was buried on Monday at Jerusalem’s Mount of Olives Cemetery following a ceremony in which President Reuven Rivlin praised him as a “man of wisdom and reason.”
Neeman passed away on Sunday at his home in Jerusalem at the age of 77.
No cause of death was given for Neeman, a lawyer who spent decades in politics.
Speaking at a ceremony at Heichal Shlomo, a museum that was formerly the seat of the Chief Rabbinate in central Jerusalem, prior to the funeral, Rivlin hailed Neeman and his contributions to Israel. “Your life was devoted to your great love — the love of the land, and extending your hand to its builders and those who love it,” according to Hebrew-media reports.
Rivlin also praised Neeman as one of Israel’s most respected legal minds, noting that he was an “address” for “prime ministers, ministers and presidents” to consult with on legal matters.
Former Ashkenazi chief rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau also delivered a eulogy for Neeman in which he described him as “sensitive” and “attentive to the suffering of others” and recalled how Neeman would sit and study Torah with hospital patients, according to the Hebrew-language daily Israel Hayom.
After news of his death broke on Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Neeman as one of the top jurists in the country, “with brilliant intellect and a warm Jewish heart.” The prime minister described him as one who always sought compromise and discussion.
Netanyahu was not present at the funeral due to security considerations, although he is expected to visit Neeman’s family during the seven-day shiva Jewish mourning period, according to Israel Hayom.
Neeman was born in Tel Aviv in 1939. In 1972, he opened the law firm Herzog, Fox and Neeman, along with future president Chaim Herzog.
Neeman was director of the Finance Ministry from 1979 until 1981. In 1996, he was appointed justice minister by Netanyahu, though he was not a member of Knesset.
Neeman was forced to resign two months later, following criminal charges that he tried to convince a witness to commit perjury in the trial of MK Aryeh Deri — charges of which he was eventually cleared.
Neeman returned to Netanyahu’s government and served as finance minister from 1997 until 1998, when he stepped down, citing lack of support from Netanyahu.
After leaving government, Neeman returned to his law practice.
In 2009, when Netanyahu again became prime minister, Neeman, who had returned to his law practice in the interim, was appointed justice minister for a second time, remaining in the position until 2013, when he handed it over to Tzipi Livni of the Hatnua party.
Neeman is survived by his wife and six children.
The Times of Israel Community.