ANT KATZ

It has now been confirmed by the Israeli Embassy that Rabbi Eliezer Berland is in the custody of Israeli police after his extradition was affected overnight. The South African authorities placed him in the custody of Interpol agents who escorted him on an ElAl flight.

Berland, who fled Israel three years ago when called for police questioning and who has wandered from country to country since then but has spent most of his time in exile in South Africa – where the Hawks and Interpol botched three attempts at arresting him before finally getting their man – was greeted by hundreds of Breslovers on landing.

Israel’s outgoing Deputy Ambassador to South Africa, Michael Freeman, told Jewish Report this afternoon that, “on landing at Ben Gurion airport, he was handed over to the police and immediately arrested and taken into custody where he is being questioned on suspicion of serious sexual offences.”

Speaking on behalf of the embassy, Freeman said: “We are pleased that this part of the story has finally come to an end.”

Deputy Ambassador Freeman, who will be taking up a new position in the UK next month, said that the “cooperation between the South African and Israeli authorities was professional and excellent on every level.”

Although the news of the planned extradition was kept on a need-to-know basis, Jewish Report became aware of the proposed action several days ago but agreed to respect an embargo.

Freeman says not even ElAl was aware that they were to be carrying one of Israel’s most wanted fugitives before the time. Around fifty of Rabbi Berland’s followers bought all the remaining seats on the plane, says Freeman, “and if there were more available they would have taken those too.”

On Rabbi Berland’s English language blog today, his followers posted the following: “The Tzadik is coming home! 12 Tamuz is the day that Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn was released from a capital sentence and imprisonment in Soviet Russia (1927), today is the day that the Tzaddik Ra+v Eliezer Berland will be returning to Eretz Yisrael.”

The embassy’s Michael Freeman, PICTURED RIGHT, said he wanted to “publically thank the South African authorities and all those involved in the case both here in SA as well as Israel” for their assistance.

The extradition had taken place with full inter-governmental cooperation, he said, adding that “no one from anywhere else had any advance warning.”

Jewish Report sources close to the extradition process said that the Israeli Embassy in South Africa playing a pivotal role in the extradition process – which would be normal procedure. Freemen said he could not comment on that.

Be the first to know, watch for further updates in the coming hours and days.

Follow @antkatz1 on twitter for all the latest posts

Parts of the story did, in fact, leak to Israel’s Arutz Sheva news website yesterday afternoon. David Rosenberg wrote the following account (Read it here or follow the link) – published verbatim:

Extradition of Eliezer Berland begins, as own son shuns him

Berland’s son Nahman condemns ‘criminal’ father, as Breslov rabbis warn public to ‘keep away’ from fugitive rabbi.

The four-year international odyssey of Rabbi Eliezer Berland is about to come to an end.

The fugitive rabbi and spiritual leader of the Shuvu Banim yeshiva in Jerusalem fled Israel four years ago, following allegations of sexual misconduct with female members of the religious movement he founded within the Breslov stream of Hasidism.

Since then, Israeli authorities have sought his extradition, tracking him across the United States, Italy, Morocco, and Switzerland.

Finally, in 2015, Berland was arrested in South Africa, though he was not transferred for extradition until this week.

Now, however, the elusive rabbi has been handed over to the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol), finally paving the way for his extradition to Israel, where he will stand trial for a variety of sex crimes.

While officials at the Shuvu Banim yeshiva maintain Berland’s innocence, Berland’s son, Nahman, and leading Breslov rabbis have condemned him and warned the public to steer clear of the fugitive rabbi and his teachings.

On Monday, BeHadrei Haredim publicised a recording of Nahman Berland lambasting his father as a “criminal”.

“[H]e pretends to be a great saint,” the younger Berland said. “My father has no shame… when people know about his crimes they won’t come near him; my father is such a criminal – either he’s totally wicked or he’s mentally ill, and I don’t care which.”

Nahman Berland also railed against some of his father’s followers who he claimed dismissed his crimes.

“So they say my father is G-d, so everything is permitted to him,” said Nahman, calling such ideas “Christianity”. “You’re Christians, you are.”

A number of prominent Breslov rabbis, including Yaakov Meir Schechter, Shmuel Moshe Kramer, and Natan Libermentch, released a joint statement condemning Berland and warning the public to “keep their distance”.

“We hereby announce our view that we have no part or share or ties with this man or any of his followers, and anyone who cares for his own wellbeing will keep his distance from him.”

While many of these facts were known to SAJR the publication was respecting a news embargo until Rabbi Berland was “wheel-down” and in the hands of Israeli police – which he now is – on charges of suspected sexual offences.

Remember to check back for updates or follow @antkatz1 on twitter

SEE ALMOST 200 STORIES ON RABBI BERLAND ON THIS WEBSITE