Israel lifts ban on entry of controversial U.S. rabbi

JERUSALEM, March 24 (JTA) — A decision to allow into Israel a controversial American rabbi whose remarks were interpreted as justifying the murder of Yitzhak Rabin has raised an uproar in the Jewish state — even leading one lawmaker to say he would appeal the move to Israel’s highest court. Interior Minister Eli Suissa of Shas announced this week that he saw no reason to continue a ban that prevents Rabbi Abraham Hecht from entering the country. The New York rabbi made headlines in June 1995, after he said at a news conference that Israeli leaders who concede land for peace deserve the death penalty and should be killed before they can perform the deed. But four months later, Hecht expressed regret for that statement in a letter he sent to Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. Rabin was assassinated on Nov. 4, 1995, by a student, Yigal Amir, who told investigators that his act was justified by halachah, or Jewish law. A month after the assassination, then-Interior Minister Haim Ramon barred Hecht and six other American Jews from entering Israel because of their alleged involvement in activities that endanger state security. Suissa’s move prompted sharp protests from left-wing legislators. Meretz Knesset member Amnon Rubinstein said that if Hecht tried to visit Israel, he would petition the High Court of Justice to block it. “I sent a letter to the interior minister informing him that if he lets [Hecht] enter Israel, I will have no choice but to turn to the High Court,” Rubinstein told Israel Radio. “In essence, he gave someone like Yigal Amir the green light by saying that whoever murders Yitzhak Rabin would be doing something good. Such a person cannot be allowed to set foot in our country,” he said. Hecht could not be reached for comment.