JERUSALEM (AP) — Menachem Porush, a well-known Israeli rabbi and longtime leader of one of the most influential ultra-Orthodox parties in Parliament, died Sunday. He was 93.

His death was announced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who praised Rabbi Porush as one of Israel’s “most dedicated public servants.”

Rabbi Porush spent more than 30 years in Israel’s Parliament and twice served as deputy labor minister. He was known for his role in efforts to slow secularization in Israel, leading battles for legislation to enforce strict Jewish laws that prompted critics to accuse him of religious coercion.

He also founded several religious education centers for Orthodox children.

Among the high-profile campaigns Rabbi Porush led was a drive to close a main road passing through Jerusalem’s ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities on the Jewish Sabbath. He also organized a mass demonstration against the Israeli Supreme Court in 1999, after it issued rulings allowing some shops to stay open on Saturdays and for non-Orthodox rabbis to preside over conversions to Judaism.

During his political career, Rabbi Porush was affiliated with the United Torah Judaism party. His son, Meir Porush, is now a central figure in that party. Rabbi Porush retired from politics in 1994.

Rabbi Porush, a widower, is survived by two sons, two daughters and more than 100 grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.