ISRAEL: A.B. Yehoshua, a fiery humanist, towering novelist, and ardent supporter of Zionism as the sole solution to the Jewish condition, died on Tuesday in Israel. He was 85 years old.

Ika, his psychoanalytic wife, died in 2016.  He is survived by his 3 children, Sivan, Gideon, and Nahum.

Yehoshua was a legendary writer, essayist, and dramatist who received Israel's highest cultural award, the Israel Prize, in 1995, as well as dozens of other honours, including the Bialik Prize and the Jewish National Book Award, and his work has been translated into 28 languages.

President Isaac Herzog praised Yehoshua, calling him "one of Israel's finest authors of all times, who bestowed upon us his unforgettable works, which will continue to accompany us for centuries."

"His creations, which were inspired by our country's assets, accurately mirrored us in a piercing, loving, and sometimes sad mirror image." "He evoked a kaleidoscope of strong feelings in us," Herzog said.

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