Ultra Orthodox Jews flee Guatemal village after opposition
- 10 years ago
They say they had no choice but to leave.
Members of the Lev Tahor community in San Juan, a town west of Guatemala city, are packing up and getting out of town.
The group which practices an austere form of Judaism says they are being persecuted for their beliefs.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MEMBER OF LEV TAHOR COMMUNITY INGRID DE SANTOS SAYING:
"We do not want another Jewish holocaust and it is for that reason that we are leaving in this manner, fast, without thinking too much about it but very sad."
They claim a council of San Juan elders issued an ultimatum, saying water and electricity would be cut off if they did not leave.
Council leaders, who refuse to speak on camera, say the villagers decided to expel the group because they refuse contact with the community.
The Lev Tahor began arriving in March from Canada, where their strict religious ways had clashed with authorities.
Now they are bound for the capital in hopes of finding another pla
Members of the Lev Tahor community in San Juan, a town west of Guatemala city, are packing up and getting out of town.
The group which practices an austere form of Judaism says they are being persecuted for their beliefs.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MEMBER OF LEV TAHOR COMMUNITY INGRID DE SANTOS SAYING:
"We do not want another Jewish holocaust and it is for that reason that we are leaving in this manner, fast, without thinking too much about it but very sad."
They claim a council of San Juan elders issued an ultimatum, saying water and electricity would be cut off if they did not leave.
Council leaders, who refuse to speak on camera, say the villagers decided to expel the group because they refuse contact with the community.
The Lev Tahor began arriving in March from Canada, where their strict religious ways had clashed with authorities.
Now they are bound for the capital in hopes of finding another pla