YWN-ISRAEL about two months ago reported on the special status enjoyed by a number of admorim and prominent rabbonim at Ben-Gurion International Airport. This arrangement with the Customs Authority permits VIP rabbonim to pass in and out of the country with minimal waiting and lines.
The Movement for Quality in Government (MQG) has turned to Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz asking to see the guidelines governing this protocol, wishing to learn how the determination is made permitting certain rabbis to be checked by passport control and customs from their vehicles.
Attorney Nadel Haik explains to Minister Katz that the special treatment for the selected rabbis is a significant blow to equality and it is doubtful if he has the authority to permit such an arrangement from many perspectives, including maintaining the trust of the general public.
Haik adds in his letter that anyone who views this situation cannot help but posit or suspect the behavior of customs officials in the airport whom have opted to grant special privileges to the admorim. “This gray picture is distasteful and represents a blatant violation of the public’s trust. In light of the ongoing betrayal of the public’s trust, we ask that you respond as soon as possible, in an urgent fashion in light of the circumstances.”
The list of rabbonim and admorim who benefit from this VIP arrangement includes HaGaon HaRav Aaron Yehuda Leib Shteinman Shlita, Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto, the Gerre Rebbe Shlita, Rav Amnon Yitzchak and the sons of Maran HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef ZT”L.
After the rabbinic VIP arrangement at the airport was publicized, Customs Authority released the following statement; “In an effort to provide appropriate accommodations to travelers in various population groups including ministers, official guests, unaccompanied minors, professional athletes, rabbonim and artists, and without prejudice regarding their requirements under the law in Ben-Gurion International Airport, the agreement was approved by the attorney general and other state officials including customs, the minister of the interior and Israel Police.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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7 Responses
This socialist commie pig should drop dead!
Stupid, hypocritical MQG. Lehavdil, when the Pope comes to Israel, will they protest his being treated as a VIP?
There is no reason ANY of these groups should get VIP treatment and not have to stand in lines like the rest of us mortals. Admorim, askanim, chashuve baal ha’batim, rock stars, MKs etc. should ALL be treated like a poishete yid. Maybe if some of these guys had to stand on long-lines like the rest of us, the bureaucrats would find ways of improving the service and clearing EVERYONE more quickly.
Dose any one check all the ministers from Israel they are the ones that should be checked in side and out
Problem is that the Admorim privileges are extended to people like Pinto, a known cohort of underworld leaders.
Reply to No. 2
No, nor should they. The Pope is a head-of-state and will receive the same diplomatic wavier of the usual immigration and customs requirements as President Obama or any other head-of-state. He also happens to be a galach wearing tzeimel but thats irrelevant. These rabbonim are NOT heads of state, nor is Madonna, NBA players and others for whom such VIP treatment was inappropriately granted.
Sons of Harav Ovadya???