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Im not asking this for me rather for user mike22. I just stumbled across his post “nasty experience with customs in israel” and read about how him and his brother want to take the story to the press. even though its not directly putting down Jews but rather the anti-Frum israeli government would going to the press be a Chillul Hashem. What do you think?
I also saw that post and commented in mike22s favor. even though lechatchila it probaly wont be a chillul hashem but if the secular newspapers get ahold of it you never know what they might do. they will probaly rewrite it in a way to negatively portray the jewish community as a whole. i think mike22 should probaly ask a Daas Torah. Then again im sure the iranian media would love the story!
The very existence of a secular government in Eretz Yisroel is a constant Chillul Hashem.
I don’t think, given the current chareidi-bashing problems that have been going on lately that this should be publicized right now. Perhaps in the future it can be. I am sure that the stroller can be brought in legally, but was the child in the stroller when he was going through customs? I once brought a stroller in for somebody who legitimately bought it and I made sure to have my daughter sit in it while going through customs. It can be tricky. They are looking to trip up the chareidim in any way they can these days.
Mike22 is very upset and he sees the situation only from his own perspective. On the other hand someone else had commented how so many people try to sneak through brand new strollers and other items without paying mas on them and therefore customs are cracking down. Maybe he shouldn’t blame the custom agents as much as those fine yidden who try to cheat the rules.
Yes I do believe it will be a chilul Hashem because the story will bring out the fact that so many frum people do try to cheat the government by bringing in brand new taxable items saying that it is used and that is why the custom agents are cracking down. I believe that Mike22 should provide all the proof that he has to show that he bought this used, that it is NOT a new product and get it back. He knew that he would have to provide proof, he knew what the rules were and he should not be that surprised that this happened, even though he could tell that the carriage was NOT new. People have dirtied up brand new items to fool customs before.
If you face these type of strict rules you should get a receipt for purchase. Try and get the original paperwork for the item, like the instruction book which would have the model year of the item, etc. If you are pushing a 2009 stroller in 2011, and you have the booklet to prove it, and the receipt then you have an argument to make with the customs agent.
Nechomah: If you did not declare it and pay import taxes, they did not buy it legitamately.
It does state clearly on the israeli goverments web site that one is allowed to bring strollers in to the country tax free!!!!!
It’s not only a chillul Hashem but also hotza’at dibat haAretz, certainly lashon hara and possibly hotzaat shem ra.
A “nasty experience with customs” is no hiddush, anywhere in the world. Customs agents are in a class with parking police and tax collectors (in general). This just shows that Israel is a national like all other nations in this regard, which is the zionists’ goal, isn’t it.
I personally think it stems from Jews not “farginning” the other. Why on earth would israel care if i bring in a bugaboo or city mini or whatever for my grandchild, niece, neighbor whatever. I understand you dotn want me bringing in ten Ipads to sell, but one stroller, give me a break. thats just anti charedi to me. i bet he wasnt a kippah sruga wearing kinda guy that Mike!!
WIY
Member
The very existence of a secular government in Eretz Yisroel is a constant Chillul Hashem.
But do 2 wrongs make a right?
We were going to Bermuda and we had a box of Kosher Food. We got the special treatment at customs and the customs agent was about to confiscate out food.
I had another friend who went to Australia and the customs agent also wanted to confiscate his food.
Luckily being NICE to the agent instead of giving them a hard time, we were able to keep the food , my friend was not so lucky
People are looking to pick a fight and think they are being discrimaed against.
i smell trolls
you might have never heard the name menachem yechiel but he is the head of customs and seizures in Israel. he also happens to be my cousin. i shot him an email asking him about this–his reply was that theres a certain customs official (whom of couse he cant release the name) but is known to be a true sonei yisroel. he checked the case and its the same official in what seems like this exact stroller case. the date of the post and the numbers are the same. so to all those who think all frum people are tax evaders i beg to differ. menachem yechiel also mentioned that theres a certain guy (seems to be this guys brother) who is giving customs a real roller coaster ride bringing in laws and different cases of seizures and returns proving his innoccence. and to end off his final comment to me was that his assistant called this guy and the conversation went as follows “hi is this _____, im calling from the dept of customs and seizures and ive noticed youve been escalating your case and i just want to know when your going to back down and understand it was a mistake” this persons response was a blunt “when there is a law made heavily punishing any government worker who takes advantage of his position” he abrubptly hung up.
and no this is not spewing this is getting a point across
Someone, so this is a is a family fight. BTW, I never said wrote all frum Jews are customs evaders only that this has happened and suggested that as a reason for extra alertness.
As for trhe conversation tou reported, to whom are you referring?There is a law against improproperly taking advantage of a public position. The offense is called “hafarat imunim” (betraying trust). Maybe if your cousin could arrange for the Proklitut to ask this person a few questions it would help.
Hashem runs the world, not customs officials. If you had a difficulty, do Teshuva. Of course you can then try to correct the problem. It would not be a chillul Hashem since it is normal in any country to resolve customs issues.
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