By Joel Leyden
Israel News Agency
New York — September 4, 2014 … Queen of comedy and staunch Israeli advocate Joan Rivers died today at the age of 81.
“My mother’s greatest joy in life was to make people laugh,” Melissa Rivers said in a statement. “Although that is difficult to do right now, I know her final wish would be that we return to laughing soon.”
Israel Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu issued a statement on Joan Rivers’ death, saying she brought laughter to millions of people around the world “and was proud of her Jewish heritage and a vocal supporter of Israel.”
“We will miss her deeply and we send our heartfelt condolences to her family,” he said in a statement.