Tuesday, March 19th | 9 Adar II 5784

Subscribe
October 16, 2021 12:35 pm
0

Israelis in Extremist Jewish Sect Seeking Asylum in Iran

× [contact-form-7 404 "Not Found"]

avatar by i24 News

A gas flare on an oil production platform is seen alongside an Iranian flag in the Gulf July 25, 2005. Photo: REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi

i24 NewsLev Tahor, an anti-Zionist sect currently based in Guatemala, is composed of around 280 members.

Many in the group hold Israeli citizenship, sparking fears among relatives that the group’s arrival will cause a severe diplomatic crisis, according to The Times of Israel.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry said it is utilizing “a variety of channels” in an effort to resolve the situation, Haaretz reported.

Relatives of group members contacted Israel’s Foreign Ministry and Justice Ministry and asked them to urgently contact their Guatemalan counterparts to prevent the families from leaving, according to Ynet.

Reports say Guatemalan authorities have detained a number of members of the group who have American nationality.

Documents were presented to a US federal court in 2019 showing that leaders of the community sought asylum in Iran and pledged allegiance to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The ultra-orthodox cult came under scrutiny in Canada amid accusations they engaged in child abuse, prompting the group to move to Guatemala in 2014.

Women in the sect are almost entirely covered in black robes, and child marriages are reportedly a common practice among members, according to Haaretz.

Share this Story: Share On Facebook Share On Twitter

Let your voice be heard!

Join the Algemeiner

Algemeiner.com

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.