Wizdom
23-11-03, 22:37
Rabbi in Jewish certificate scam
Sunday 23 November 2003, 17:55 Makka Time, 14:55 GMT
People certified as Jews can claim Israeli citizenship
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The former senior rabbi of a town near Tel Aviv has been found guilty of receiving cash in exchange for certificates showing that people had converted to Judaism.
A tribunal heard how Rabbi Yitzhak Barda from Ramat Gan had taken part in a scam under which applicants wrote to another rabbi in France in order to receive a certificate stating they were Jewish.
Under Israeli law, any certified Jew is entitled to Israeli citizenship.
Barda was found guilty on Sunday and is to be sentenced at a later date.
The court rejected Barda's argument the money he received was to be used for "religious institutions". The sums involved were not known.
Sunday 23 November 2003, 17:55 Makka Time, 14:55 GMT
People certified as Jews can claim Israeli citizenship
Tools:
Email Article
Print Article
Send Your Feedback
The former senior rabbi of a town near Tel Aviv has been found guilty of receiving cash in exchange for certificates showing that people had converted to Judaism.
A tribunal heard how Rabbi Yitzhak Barda from Ramat Gan had taken part in a scam under which applicants wrote to another rabbi in France in order to receive a certificate stating they were Jewish.
Under Israeli law, any certified Jew is entitled to Israeli citizenship.
Barda was found guilty on Sunday and is to be sentenced at a later date.
The court rejected Barda's argument the money he received was to be used for "religious institutions". The sums involved were not known.