ISRAEL
Times of Israel
An Israeli judge rules the Lev Tahor community of ultra-Orthodox Jews who live in the Guatemalan jungle are a “dangerous cult.”
“Based on the conduct of the sect toward minors, it’s sufficient to call this group a dangerous cult that severely damages the physical and emotional well-being of the children of this community,” Judge Rivka Makayes of the Petah Tikva Magistrate’s Court says in her ruling.
The ruling comes in response to a petition filed to the court by the attorney general and several family members of sect members.
Makayes agreed with the petition that requested the categorization of ultra-Orthodox children who were illegally taken to Guatemala with their parents to join the group as “at-risk” minors.
While the ruling will have little effect on those already in South America, Makayes hopes the ruling will dissuade other ultra-Orthodox families from joining the group.
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