Israeli couple facing deportation allowed ‘honourable exit’

Judge S Sirigajan asked the couple,through their counsel Laxmi Narayan,why didn’t they accept the good offer for an “honourable exit” from the country,without any stigma of being deported? Otherwise,the court said,it would go into the merit of the case,observing that it was satisfied with the intelligence report submitted on Monday. Though the couple was initially not ready to accept it,it later agreed. In an interim order,the court allowed them to return to Jerusalem on March 13.

The court said synagogue service was not a violation of the visa. They were also allowed to conduct services at the synagogue,the oldest in India,during their remaining stay. The court,however,put a bar on conducting any meeting at their residence.

Sources said their stay at the communally sensitive Mattanchery had come under the eyes of extremist elements in the region. Local Jews and visitors from Israel had gone to their house for Sabbath parties. Local media reports also brought them into sharp focus.

By agreeing to a voluntary exit,the couple are free to come back to India any time without any hassle.