The Supreme Court yesterday overruled a Tel Aviv district court’s order that would have permitted Rabbi Meir Kahane, leader of the Jewish Defense League, to leave the country while law enforcement authorities decide whether or not to bring charges against him in connection with JDL arms smuggling attempts.
Rabbi Kahane’s passport was confiscated when he was remanded in custody last month. A magistrate’s court released him on IL 40,000 bail 10 days ago but did not return his passport. The district court to which the JDL leader appealed subsequently ordered his passport returned and permitted him to go abroad for one month provided he did not go to the United States. The decision was challenged by the State’s Attorney whose appeal to the Supreme Court was upheld yesterday by Justice Haim Cohen.
A decision on whether to bring charges against Rabbi Kahane is expected this week. The JDL leader addressed students at Bar Ilan University Saturday night. He said the JDL would run as a political party in next year’s Knesset elections because its aim was to defend the character and image of Jews.
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