In a rare move, the US embassy in Israel recently informed the Rav of Tzfas HaRav Shmuel Eliyahu that his visa to the United States has been revoked, Yisrael Hayom reported on Monday evening.
The visa had not expired but was revoked in a move initiated by the State Department. The US embassy declined to provide information on the reason it was disqualified.
Israeli government officials estimate that it may be related to HaRav Eliyahu’s statements in the past about Israeli Arabs, including calling on Jews not to rent apartments to Arabs.
The revocation is a real blow to HaRav Eliyahu as he has been active in recent years in strengthening ties with American Jewry.
The report noted that HaRav Eliyahu is a fierce critic of the Reform movement and it’s possible that Reform activists played a part in the US decision to revoke his visa.
Yisrael Hayom asked the US Embassy for a statement on the issue but it responded that it does not address personal issues related to US visas.
HaRav Eliyahu’s office stated: “Despite numerous inquiries to the US Consulate, we did not receive any reason that would explain the denial of the visa, which had been valid for decades.”
“Our inquiries show that this is the action of anti-Zionists such as the Reform movement who frequently try to infringe on freedom of expression and silence Rabbanim. Having failed to silence HaRav Eliyahu via legal channels, they are now trying to silence the Rav in petty ways.”
The Reform movement in Israel is a vehement opponent of HaRav Eliyahu, who has served for decades in State positions as the Rav of Tzfas and a member of the Moetzet HaRabbanut HaReishis, and has tried to silence him via multiple appeals to the Supreme Court.
(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
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11 Responses
It is safe to comprehend that this is based on this venerated Rov’s remarks attacking & equating abortion to murder immediately following “Supreme Court leak” because the evil democrats know full well, how correct the Venerated Rov is on this one, so it simply irks them too much to stomach him.
The evil democrats may also be livid that the venerated Rov met sith Idith Silman, within 24 hrs of her bolting out of coalition, since they hate King Bibi Netanyahu
I had the זכות to meet the Chief Rabbi in צפת as recently as 3&1/2 months ago, and was most inspired
The rav need not fret. The US, right now, is as putrefied as the State of Israel. He may as well stay home.
Jews need to understand, US is only a friend of Israel if and when it benefits DemocRats!
Let this serve as a lesson to all Zionists/nationalists fond of making statements and actions that incite Arabs against Jews.
you do not know why? his statements are a tad inflammatory/racist, for the US perhaps
This is all looking for a rational excuse in the face of a “Jewish Ban”. You may make inciteful statements from and about any other group, and you get approved to come in. Happens frequently. They have a hard enough time vetting others they let in, or even those who sneak in.
Claiming he said something that isn’t PC isn’t a) part of the law, or even b) believable. Or he would be the first and only, and I doubt even within any due process for entry. It’s just plain racism.
The USA probably also holds he is guilty for suicide of Chaim Walder ז”ל
Forget about his religious disagreements with reform and conservative yidden. His disparaging past statements regarding Palestinians are beyond racist and we already have enough of those without importing them from EY.
A gift for sure___i had the pleasure of seeing Rabbi Lau in the Rova, he is Blessed and we are as well, this dark mark from Biden only treasures and assures that Rabbi Lau is not only correct but an officer of Hashem___could care less of America and Biden___or American Jewry for that matter as well….when they move their buns, I will smile…if not…I will smile
BLANANT ANTISEMETIC ACT. THERE IS NO JUST CAUSE. YOU CAN’T REVOKE A VISA FOR A CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTED ACTIVITY LIKE FREE SPEECH! THIS ACTION NEEDS TO BE REPORTED AS HATE CRIME. THIS REVOCATION NEEDS TO BE REVERSED IMMEDIATELY! DAYS BEFORE SHAVUOT! THEY DO THIS? TREATING A RABBI THIS WAY IS A VIOLENT UNCONSCIONABLE, IMMORAL, AND UNETHICAL ACT THAT NO AMERICAN SHOULD HAVE ENGAGED IN. I AM SHOCKED AT THIS INJUSTICE AND THE MESSAGE IT SENDS THAT AMERICAN LEADERS ARE ACTING WITH HATRED TO A RABBI SUPPORTING THE JEWISH PEOPLE IN AMERICA. AN INJUSTICE ON OUR RABBI IS AN INJUSTICE ON THE JEWRY OF AMERICA. THIS IS SHOCKING AND UNACCEPTABLE.
Katan, what he said was the UNDISPUTED HALACHA. It is every rav’s duty to teach the unexpurgated Torah, and it is every Jews obligation to believe in it and support it. Ziyuf Hatorah is a serious avera, and to make a false psak, such as allowing Jews in a Jewish neighborhood to sell or rent apartments to Arabs, is one of the most serious averos there is. If you have a problem with anything R Eliyahu has said, you are an apikores.