Rabbi Eliezer Berland
Rabbi Eliezer BerlandPhoto: Uri Lenz / Flash 90

During court proceedings in Johannesburg, Rabbi Eliezer Berland, who is wanted in Israel on suspicions of sexual assault, claimed he is being wronged by the Israeli government and is being targeted along with other rabbis.

In a message to his followers, the head of the Shuvu Banim sect said that "the Israeli government has a tendency to improperly mark rabbis,” and claimed that they “mark those whose profession is not inconsistent with their political objectives.”

Last week, South Africa’s Randburg Magistrate’s Court ruled that Rabbi Berland will remain in custody during his bail and be extradited to Israel for a hearing.

Meanwhile, followers of Berland are planning a demonstration for Monday morning outside the South African Embassy in Israel at Ramat Gan.

The continuation of the bail hearing was postponed to April 26.