Morocco expels Israeli Rabbi accused Of Sex Crimes

Sidi Ifni- Morocco has expelled Rabbi Eliezer Berland after being accused of sex crimes. The rabbi, who left Israel for Morocco in April 2013, sought to set up a community in Marrakech.

According to the Israeli daily newspaper Israel Hayom, Bernard left Israel for fear of facing a trial on sexual harassment charges. A woman filed a police complaint about being sexually harassed by Rabbi Eliezer Berland, reported Israeli site HAARETZ.

According to the ultra-Orthodox news site Kikar Hashabat’ report, the Israeli authorities ordered the 76-year-old rabbi to leave the country.

After heading the Shuvu Banim yeshiva in Jerusalem, the Haifa-born Rabbi decided to settle in Marrakech. After Israeli police carried out investigations, Rabbi Berland traveled to Morocco where he was warmly welcomed by the Jewish community. According to Channel 2, the rabbi also wanted to build apartments for his disciples.

According to some national newspapers’ reports, King Mohammed VI himself ordered the rabbi’s expulsion, particularly because of the rabbi’s bad reputation.

The king’s decision, associates of the rabbi claim, had nothing to do with the rabbi’s alleged sex crimes.

In this vein, one of the rabbi’s confidants said, “This is a Muslim country after all; the hundreds of Hassidic who have reached Morocco are in danger.”

Several women have reported that they were sexually harassed by the Israeli rabbi, but they were afraid to take him to court, reported HAARTEZ. In reaction to the now infamous Rabbi Eliezer Berland, a Haredi woman has launched a Facebook page for the victims of the rabbi’s alleged abuse.

Berland’s alleged behavior was revealed a year ago. In response to Morocco’s decision to expel the rabbi, the rabbi’s supporters have expressed anger and decided to take action against those who spread the story about the rabbi.

Edited by Elisabeth Myers