Rabbinical Pimpernel is back in South Africa

ANT KATZ

The Breslovers, it seems, have purposely stayed out of sight and have not been seen within the Jewish community. Jewish Report Online has been following the story of the rabbi’s return with interest since rumours first surfaced last week, but we chose not to publish anything until the sect’s presence was confirmed.

During his five-month-long stay in South Africa last year, Rabbi Berland and his followers became the most newsworthy Jewish story of the year. The “Rabbi on the Run” as he was dubbed by Israeli and world media, was at one stage making news every week – and Jewish Report regularly led the coverage of his activities, being quoted by a host of media sources. How were we able to “own” the story of the year? Read all about it and links to other stories in our “2014 Top Reads” series.

Click to read: HOW ARE WE CRACKED THE TOP STORY OF 2014

Rabbi Berland – who twice narrowly escaped capture by the Hawks during his South African sojourn last year – from South Africa fled to Holland, where he was arrested at the request of Israeli police with a view to his being extradited to that country.

His legal team in The Netherlands managed to delay these procedures and, when his appeal against extradition failed, he was nowhere to be found. The major Dutch daily, Telegraaf, reported that Berland was on the tiny Caribbean island of Petit Tobacco Island, which is so small that it does not even appear on Google Maps – and which had no extradition treaty with Israel.

Click to read: R. BERLAND FOUND – OUT OF REACH OF ISRAELI POLICE

Hawks spokesman Brig Hangwani Mulaudzi was not able to confirm whether the outstanding arrest warrant against Berland is still valid, but he did tell Jewish Report that the Hawks and South African Police Service’s crime intelligence unit would be holding a meeting on the subject today (Monday October 12).

Some rabbis have confirmed that some members of their congregation are now davening with Rabbi Berland..

Links to all previous posts about Rabbi Berland on SAJR Online