Morocco expels fugitive Israeli rabbi

Eliezer Berland, leader of Breslovs’ Shuvu Banim community, was expelled from Morocco after a seven-month stay. as more families affiliated with Berland relocated to Morocco to be with their rebbe, authorities became uncomfortable with the situation and he was instructed to leave the country.

Berland, a Haifa-born Breslov Hassid who headed the Shuvu Banim yeshiva in Jerusalem, fled to Morocco, in April after being accused of sex crimes. Israel has no extradition agreement with that country. Berland reportedly settled in Marrakesh and began working to build a community there.

However, a Moroccan newspaper recently published an article profiling him and detailing the circumstances in which he fled Israel. According to reports, Morocco's King Mohammed VI read the article and ordered the rabbi's expulsion.

Berland's alleged activities came to light about a year ago. At the time, Israel Hayom published details of an incident in which one of the rabbi's disciples allegedly happened upon his teacher at home standing beside a naked woman. The rabbi's supporters expressed anger, including taking violent actions, against the person who had relayed the story to the press.

When police intervened and launched an investigation, Berland fled the country. Following a brief stint in the U.S., he travelled to Morocco, where he was welcomed by the local Jewish community. His followers began gravitating to the rabbi in Morocco, with thousands arriving to celebrate holidays and commemorate various events with him, and some opting to stay in Morocco.

According to a Channel 2 news report, Berland began to build up a community in Marrakesh mirroring the Shuvu Banim yeshiva, and sought to establish a community center and education institutions there. He also wanted to build apartments there for his followers.