It seems the Customs authorities make it up as they go along! I've walked through bringing a Torah into Israel multiple times - no problem, no declaration, no tax. Do the Custom's guys just make it up? Decide on the spot whether something is or is not taxable? Clearly, the answer is yes.

This is the sophomoric "welfare democracy" of khilonim "intellectuals" that they want to force on datim in Israel.

Sir, since you wrote the story and since it Rosh Hodesh Elul. Please find out how to make the Tikkun...let's open a bank account for Mr. Hamadi's Torah Scroll and let's rescue it post haste! (You Mr. Eichner have the power...open the bank account and give us the details in your next report about this item!)

SO DONT JUMP TO YOUR INFANTILE CONCLUSIONS. but it seems in Israel,its only the 'black hats charideem'' that actually use the PROPER UNALTERED TORAH.Therefore you shouldnt comment. HOW DO I KNOW you dont know? Because of your comments. LIFE IS A STRUGGLE, DONT PUT BLAME ON ANYONE. I hear your pain. TRY HASHEM....

Usual stuff. Whole Israeli bureaucracy needs a couple of "excellence" programs which move talented people from the outside through high positions throughout management in order to improve things. It has worked well for the public administration in many other countries.

"All of them, apart from him, decided to immigrate to London." How did they get permission to immigrate into the UK?

Yemen was part of the Aden protectorate , and probably that because of this they were allowed to immigrate to England

I'm sorry the customs people gave you a hard time. Israel isn't only like them. Get to know the people and you will see they are your family, like Jews everywhere. To Israeli customs: people matter more than procedures, and treasures of the Jewish people need to be helped in to Israel, not hindered.

Finally I as an Israeli taxpayer get back a tiny fraction of my taxes that go to support a corrupt religious establishment.

it's probably a shock, coming from yemen, to learn that israel imposes taxes, and (usually) collects them. clearly, the yemeni and egyptian authorities were very decent to waive the usual bribes, which mr. hamadi would have had to pay en route. and he is right to point out their most decent behaviour. however, it is a (sad) fact of life that torahs are bought and sold, for considerable amounts of money (and even stolen and trafficked). but ultimately, the price supports sofrim and their families, so that they may continue to write torah scrolls. what is surprising is that israeli customs treats a torah as just another expensive commodity, rather than allowing an exemption for "religious items". but in all fairness, it's worth 2-3 times as much as a new car, if not more and in a sense, it is a good thing that torahs are taxed, because it makes it slightly more difficult to traffic in stolen torahs.

This is Israel! This is my home! The rules are mine! I even threatened! And all of that for what? MONEY! "There are three more Torah scrolls we want to rescue from Yemen, but with such an attitude it might be better to leave them there," Hamadi said angrily. Love for TORAH scrolls? Love for ISRAEL?

Your heading for this article is quite disingenuous. A fine is imposed as punishment. Taxes are levied for revenue. Clearly the authorities were not fining the immigrant, but attempting to collect a tax.

Are they less expensive abroad?