Prime minister thanks Israeli public for heartfelt condolences over death of his father

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked the Israeli public for expressing heartfelt condolences following the death of his father Benzion Netanyahu last week.

“You touched my heart in my time of grief. My thanks to all of you from Jerusalem,” wrote Netanyahu on his official Facebook page Saturday evening.

“I’d like to thank the thousands of you who came to my father’s house to give your condolences to my family and me, and to the tens of thousands who sent their respects and support,” read the handwritten letter posted on the social networking site.

Benzion Netanyahu was laid to rest in Jerusalem’s Har Hamenuhot cemetery on Monday afternoon. He passed away early Monday at the age of 102.

Netanyahu will conclude the traditional seven-day mourning period and return to his normal schedule on Sunday morning. (© 2012 THE TIMES OF ISRAEL 05/05/12)