The US government has revoked the visa for Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu, Israel Hayom has learned.
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The step is an unusual one, because the visa was cancelled rather than expiring.
Eliyahu is one of the most prominent rabbis in Israel, and for decades has served in public roles, such as rabbi of the city of Safed and a member of the Chief Rabbinate Council. The US Embassy declined to provide details about why his visa was revoked, saying it does not comment on individual cases.
Some government officials in Israel think the decision might be related to comments Eliyahu has made about Arab Israelis, such as calling on landlords not to rent to Arab tenants.
Eliyahu is also known for his activism against sexual harassment and sexual abuse in the religious community, and along with Rabbi Reuven Nakar established a rabbinical court dedicated to investigating complaints about sexual abuse and misconduct among Orthodox and Haredi Jews in Israel that are not reported to the police.
In recent years, Eliyahu has been active in working to strengthen ties between Israel and US Jewry, but he is critical of Reform Judaism, which also could be a factor in the American decision to cancel his visa.
In an interview to Israel's Makor Rishon newspaper, Eliyahu once said, "Diaspora Jewry has no future," and urged Jews abroad to make aliyah. In the same interview, he said that he thought that in a few decades, there would be no Reform Jews in the world because of assimilation. Nevertheless, Eliyahu always referred to Reform Jews as "our brothers" and has been in continual contact with the movement.
In response to the US decision, Eliyahu's office said, "Despite contacting the American consulate, we have not received any explanation for the reason his visa, which was valid for decades, has been revoked. Our attempts to clarify have revealed that it was the act of anti-Zionists such as the Reform movement, entities that frequently try to attack freedom of speech and silence rabbis.
"After failing to silence Rabbi Eliyahu through legal means, they are now trying to shut him up through various petty tactics. There is no reason to worry – they won't succeed," his office said.
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