Some 230 members of an orthodox Jewish group were forced to leave a village in western Guatemala after a bitter row with the local indigenous community, BBC reported Saturday.
The Lev Tahor members were asked to leave San Juan La Laguna village, about 150km west of the capital Guatemala City, after a meeting with the elders of the Mayan community.
The elders accused the Jews of shunning the natives and imposing their religion and customs.
The members of the Jewish community, on the other hand, complained that they received threats that water and electricity lines would be disconnected if they stayed on.
The Lev Tahor had settled in the village six years ago, hoping to find the religious freedom they were searching for.
The ultra-orthodox group has moved frequently after fleeing trouble with government authorities in Canada.
Their austere practices include praying for long periods, adhering to strict rules of diet, education, marriage and manner of dress.
The group was formed in the 1980s by Shlomo Helbrans, an Israeli citizen.
You’ve reached your limit of {{free_limit}} free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Exclusive premium stories online
Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors
Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share
Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor
Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements
Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app