Kikar HaShabbatSecurity10:52

Thailand Revokes Citizenship of Chief Rabbi Yosef Kantor

By כיכר השבת, קובי ישראל

Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba

ReligiousNeutral tone

Hebrew · 6 newsrooms covering

Thailand's Prime Minister and Interior Minister have ordered the revocation of citizenship for Rabbi Yosef Chaim Kantor, the chief Chabad emissary and Chief Rabbi of Thailand. The government cited his continued use of a U.S. passport after obtaining Thai citizenship as the reason, which violates local law. This action follows recent raids on Jewish community centers in Bangkok as part of an investigation into businesses linked to Israeli citizens. Chabad stated they respect Thai law and are pursuing the matter legally, while continuing their operations.

The story in 6 lines · by baba

Thailand's Prime Minister and Interior Minister ordered the revocation of citizenship for Chief Rabbi Yosef Chaim Kantor.
The government cited Rabbi Kantor's continued use of his U.S. passport as the reason for the decision.
The move follows recent raids on Jewish community centers in Bangkok by Thai authorities.
Investigators are looking into a "network of businesses and assets connected to Israeli citizens."
Rabbi Kantor has served as Thailand's chief Chabad emissary for over 30 years.
Chabad stated they respect Thai law and are pursuing the matter through legal channels.

Thailand Revokes Citizenship of Chief Rabbi Yosef Kantor — Editorial illustration generated by baba News, not a photograph of the event.

Thailand's Prime Minister and Interior Minister have signed an order to revoke the citizenship of Rabbi Yosef Chaim Kantor, the country's chief Chabad emissary and Chief Rabbi. Rabbi Kantor has served in Thailand on behalf of the Lubavitcher Rebbe since 1993. The official reason given by the Thai government is that Rabbi Kantor continued to use his American passport for travel after becoming a Thai citizen, which is against local law prohibiting Thai citizens from holding foreign passports.

This significant decision follows a period of intense scrutiny, during which Thai authorities conducted raids on various Jewish community centers in Bangkok. While business documents were seized during these investigations, no criminal findings have been reported to date. The raids involved over ten different investigative and enforcement agencies, including the Thai police, tax authority, immigration police, anti-money laundering office, and land department.

Investigators targeted the Bangkok Chabad Foundation, the Association of Thai Jews, and the "Gan Chabad" company offices as part of an inquiry into what authorities described as a "network of businesses and assets connected to Israeli citizens." Representatives from Chabad issued a statement expressing respect for Thailand, its laws, and its institutions, and gratitude for the hospitality shown over the years. They stated that the decision is regrettable and is being handled through legal channels, with full trust in the Thai judicial system.

Chabad emphasized that their centers in Thailand are operating as usual and will continue to welcome all Jews and Israelis visiting the country. Rabbi Kantor arrived in Thailand over three decades ago and established the country's Jewish infrastructure, with Chabad centers spread across Thailand serving thousands of Israeli and Jewish visitors annually. Thailand is a major tourist destination for Israelis, and Chabad centers play a crucial role in supporting the local and visiting Jewish community.