Asher Hayon, former chief of staff to Prime Minister Netanyahu, has died aged 58.
Hayon served in the role between 2018 and 2022 and was commonly seen accompanying the premier on major international visits.
The Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that he passed away suddenly on Monday morning, though he had been dealing with long-term health issues.
He resigned from public life four years ago, citing health grounds, and maintained a lower profile since then.
Netanyahu said he received the news of Hayon’s death “with deep shock and immense sorrow” and noted Hayon’s “great loyalty” as his office director and, later, chief of staff.
They first met when Netanyahu was serving as finance minister and Hayon worked as an adviser in the department, the prime minister recalled.
“Asher accompanied me on a daily basis in routine times and in times of emergency. He did so, among other things, during [the 2021 IDF] Operation Guardian of the Walls, during the months of the coronavirus pandemic, and at the time of signing the [2020] Abraham Accords for peace,” he went on.
"He possessed sound judgment, a huge heart, and human warmth.”
Netanyahu also noted that the pair had stayed in touch in recent years, despite the former official taking a step back from public life.
Hayon is survived by his wife, Miti, and their six children, as well as one grandchild.
His funeral was held on Tuesday morning and was attended by a number of senior political figures, including Tzachi Braverman – his successor as chief of staff – and Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee chair Boaz Bismuth.
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