Thai Nationalists Protest Israeli Presence, Revoke Rabbi's Citizenship
Translated & summarized from Kan News by baba
Nationalist groups in Phuket, Thailand, protested against the Israeli presence and a local Chabad House on Saturday, escalating anti-Israel rhetoric. The protest follows an investigation into the Chabad House that found minor violations. In parallel, Thai Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul revoked the Thai citizenship of Rabbi Yosef Chaim Kantor, the chief Chabad emissary, citing his continued use of his American passport.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Thai nationalists protested against Israeli presence and a Chabad House in Phuket on Saturday.
- Speakers escalated anti-Israel rhetoric, alleging illegal Israeli business activities.
- The protest follows an investigation into the Chabad House finding only minor violations.
- Thailand's Interior Minister revoked the citizenship of Chief Rabbi Yosef Chaim Kantor.
- Rabbi Kantor's citizenship was revoked for using his American passport after naturalization.
Nationalist and local organizations in Thailand held a protest rally in Phuket on Saturday, targeting a Chabad House and what they term the "Israeli network" in the country. The demonstration, held under the banner "Uniting the Nation: Returning Our Thailand," was organized by the Phuket Land Defense Group (PLPG) and Reclaim Thailand, drawing participants from several Andaman Sea provinces.
Speakers at the event escalated their rhetoric against Israel. Political activist Akarawat Krairisombat stated he was "not afraid of Israel," while the PLPG leader called for the "complete eradication" of Israeli activities and Chabad institutions from Thailand, alleging illegal business practices. Sondhi Limthongkul, a prominent figure from the former "Yellow Shirts" movement, also spoke.
The current protest follows a similar demonstration outside the Chabad House in Patong during Rosh Hashanah last month. It occurs amidst official investigations into the Chabad House's construction permits and financial activities, which found only minor building violations and no financial irregularities.
Tensions heightened after Thailand's Deputy Interior Minister publicly supported the protest organizers. Subsequently, the Interior Minister signed an order revoking the Thai citizenship of Rabbi Yosef Chaim Kantor, the chief Chabad emissary in Thailand. The revocation was based on findings that Rabbi Kantor continued to use his American passport after becoming a Thai citizen in April 2013, which the government cited as a violation of naturalization terms, alongside security and economic concerns.
Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul signed the order yesterday, canceling the Thai citizenship of Rabbi Kantor, who has served as Chabad's head in Thailand since 1993 and as the country's chief rabbi. The order stems from the Department of Special Investigations' findings that Kantor's continued use of his foreign citizenship breached his naturalization agreement.
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