The family of a Charedi rabbi who died in 2004 have had his body exhumed because they felt those buried around him were inappropriate neighbours.

The family reportedly received rabbinic approval to move the body, which was buried at the Sanhedria cemetery on the Mount of Olives.

The family told the rabbis that while their father was beside "possibly Sabbath observant" people, those nearby were not observant enough.

According to the Jerusalem Post, the move was permitted by Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, who died himself last month. It is highly unusual for rabbis to permit disturbing a body in this way.