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ISRAEL AT WAR - DAY 623

Eliezer Berland

Toldos Avrohom Yitzchok Grand Rabbi and his followers light a bonfire during Lag Baomer celebrations, in Meron, on May 15, 2025. (David Cohen/Flash90)
May 16, 2025, 2:36 pm
Tens of thousands celebrate Lag B’Omer at Meron, year after site closed amid rocket fire
Revelers defy firefighters trying to extinguish unlawful bonfires as festivities bounce back after wartime closure; sex offender rabbi lights bonfire; some passageways overcrowded
By Charlie Summers
The compound of Joseph's Tomb in the West Bank city of Nablus, April 10, 2022. (Nasser Ishtayeh/Flash90)
December 18, 2024, 1:09 pm
Palestinians shoot at bus of Israelis illegally visiting Nablus tomb, injuring one
Bus driver hurt and arrested along with 19 ultra-Orthodox Israelis — said to be members of Shuvu Bonim cult — for entering area without IDF authorization
By Emanuel Fabian and ToI Staff
The compound of Joseph's Tomb in the West Bank city of Nablus, April 10, 2022. (Nasser Ishtayeh/Flash90)
December 11, 2024, 10:56 am
3 Israelis lightly hurt as gunmen open fire during uncoordinated visit to Nablus tomb
IDF says ultra-Orthodox pilgrims held for questioning by police; men said to be members of Shuvu Bonim cult
By ToI Staff
The compound of Joseph's Tomb in the West Bank city of Nablus, April 10, 2022. (Nasser Ishtayeh/Flash90)
June 3, 2024, 4:24 pm
Israeli army rescues pilgrims who snuck into Nablus to visit Joseph’s Tomb
One man, wounded by Palestinians, hides out in Nablus overnight; is extricated by PA police, who hand him over to Israeli authorities
By Emanuel Fabian
Benjamin Ze'evi, is brought for a court hearing, at the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court on October 19, 2021.(Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
May 6, 2024, 3:19 pm
Court nixes murder case against former minister’s son due to statute of limitations
Binyamin Ze’evi was charged over 1986 homicide of teen Nissim Shitrit linked to cult of convicted sex offender rabbi Eliezer Berland; brother of victim may go to Supreme Court
By ToI Staff
Screen capture from video of Rabbi Eliezer Berland urging his followers to travel to Uman, August 2022. (Via YouTube, used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
September 14, 2023, 8:42 pm
Sex offender rabbi turned away from Ukraine border crossing ahead of Uman pilgrimage
Berland flies back to Israel after being barred entry into country that blacklisted him for claiming Russian invasion was punishment for Kyiv barring his sect from Uman
By ToI Staff
Fay Sukenik protest near the home of Meir Porush on Aug. 31, 2023 in Jerusalem, Israel over the cabinet minister's alleged assitance to a sex offender. Her sign reads: 'When God's name is desecrated by a rabbi, he is not worthy of respect.' (Courtesy of Sukenik)
August 31, 2023, 11:59 pm
Dozens of Haredi women protest politician’s alleged help for sex offender
Rally outside cabinet minister Meir Porush’s home comes over reports he tried to help Eliezer Berland enter Ukraine
By Canaan Lidor
Minister for Jerusalem Affairs and Jewish Heritage Meir Porush arrives for the weekly cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem on May 14, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
August 29, 2023, 4:21 pm
Minister under fire for trying to help sex offender rabbi enter Ukraine
Group supporting victims of sexual assault in ultra-Orthodox community demands Meir Porush apologize for aiding Eliezer Berland
By ToI Staff
Israeli border police officers guard at the Tomb of Simeon the Just in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah, October 23, 2022. (Arie Leib Abrams/Flash90)
October 24, 2022, 1:41 am
Jerusalem deputy mayor, rabbi attacked by supporters of sex offender Berland
2 arrested after rioters throw stones at chief rabbi of Safed for his harsh criticism of criminal Rabbi Eliezer Berland; capital’s Deputy Mayor Aryeh King lightly injured
By ToI Staff
Supporters and followers of Rabbi Eliezer Berland protest outside the Nitzan Prison in Ramle, on October 27, 2021 (Roy Alima/Flash90)
October 14, 2022, 12:47 pm
Jerusalem lets convicted cult leader use municipal parking lot for Sukkot events
Municipality defends allowing sex offender Rabbi Eliezer Berland and his followers to build sukkah on city-owned land, as vacationing staff aren’t parking there over holidays
By Ash Obel
Rabbi Eliezer Berland arrives for a court hearing in Jerusalem, November 2, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
September 8, 2022, 4:49 pm
Court allows sex offender Rabbi Berland to travel to Uman despite stay of exit order
Cult leader required to deposit NIS 650,000 in guarantees; given permission for pilgrimage to Ukraine even though government warning in force against visiting war-torn country
By ToI Staff
Rabbi Eliezer Berland arrives for a hearing at the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court, on February 13, 2020. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
December 15, 2021, 12:34 pm
Granted early release, Berland leaves prison after a month and a half
Cult leader served sentence for swindling sick and elderly followers out of millions of shekels; while he was in prison he was accused of involvement in 2 decades-old murder cases
By ToI Staff
Beitar Illit mayor Meir Rubinstein arrives at the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court on November 22, 2021 (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
December 14, 2021, 11:03 am
Beitar Illit mayor named as suspect detained, then released, over cold case murder
Judge says name of Meir Rubinstein, who was 17 at time of Avi Edri’s murder in 1990, can now be published; is suspected of dressing as woman reportedly to lure victim to his death
By ToI Staff
Binyamin Ze'evi outside the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court on October 19, 2021 (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
December 5, 2021, 1:57 pm
Son of ex-minister Rehavam Ze’evi among two charged in cold case murder of teen
Indictment says Binyamin Ze’evi was part of a group that lured Nissim Shitrit, 17, and beat him to death, in case linked to cult leader Eliezer Berland
By ToI Staff
Nissim Shitrit in an undated photo. (Screenshot: Kan public broadcaster)
December 3, 2021, 11:43 am
2 members of Berland’s sect charged over ‘extremely cruel’ 1986 murder of teen
One suspect is unnamed son of an ex-minister; indictment says they were part of group that lured Nissim Shitrit, 17, before beating him to death due to disapproval of his lifestyle
By ToI Staff
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