Ordered by government officials, Rabbi Eliezer Berland is being compelled to leave Morocco after about a seven-month stay. Wanted for alleged crimes in Israel, the rav cannot return home so it appears in the coming days he will have to find a new home, a country that does not have an extradition agreement with Israel. Barring any last minute government change of heart the rav will be compelled to leave Morocco in the immediate future, perhaps as soon as a matter of days.

The announcement comes just as a number of families of the rav’s chassidim have relocated to Morocco to be with him. Schools are being established and recently there were signs the rav was rebuilding his kehilla. It appears the influx of his chassidim and their families is what pushed Moroccan officials to compel the rav to leave. Local philanthropists who are close to the rabbi tried to intercede and use their influence with government officials on his behalf but their efforts were unsuccessful.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)