Guatemalan authorities rescue 160 children from Jewish Lev Tahor sect
Reuters4 days
Guatemala: Officials Raid Lev Tahor Compound, Rescue 160 Children
Above: Members of the Lev Tahor Jewish community remain outside the Alida Espana de Arana special education school, where the children taken into custody were in Guatemala City on Dec. 22, 2024. Image copyright: Johan Ordóñez/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Facts
In a raid on the Haredi Jewish Lev Tahor community's compound in Oratorio on Friday, Guatemalan authorities took at least 160 minors and 40 women into protective custody.
The operation involved hundreds of law enforcement agents, psychologists, and social workers and was supported by the US Dept. of Homeland Security.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Guatemala has taken necessary measures as Lev Tahor is a dangerous cult in which the rabbi plays a dictatorial role. Children don't have access to any form of education and are constantly abused — and aren't allowed to have contact even with their parents. Hopefully, the international community has been united to stop this harmful group.
Establishment-critical narrative
Some bad apples do exist in Lev Tahor — and they must be held accountable. However, it's unacceptable that members of the group suffer religious discrimination worldwide, including legal actions. Parents should be entitled to raise their children as they want, not being deprived of their freedom of religious expression.
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