Satmar and Neturei Karta: Jews Against Zionism

Abstract:Throughout history, many Jewish laymen and rabbis have objected to the collective return of the Jews to the Land of Israel, particularly if it was motivated by nationalistic rather than religious reasons. They did so for many reasons, the most persistent of which relied on a religious rationale. Anti-Zionist stands were voiced by both ends of the religious spectrum: the radical Reform on the one hand, and the ultra-Orthodox on the other. Following the establishment of the State of Israel, expressing anti-Zionist and anti-Israeli stands has become a routine practice among some Reform groups, as well as among several ultra-Orthodox communities among which Satmar is the most influential one. However, Neturei Karta’s position advocating Israel’s annihilation and their open support for Israel’s worst enemies has almost no parallel on the Reform side. During the twenty-first century, Neturei Karta’s anti-Zionist activities have become even more vehement. On top of the ordinary anti-Israel demonstrations side by side with supporters of Hamas, the PLO, or BDS, they have also participated in international conferences which promote Holocaust denial; visited Iran and met with its leaders who threaten to annihilate Israel; and rejected Israel’s raison d’être, claiming that Zionist leaders intentionally caused the Holocaust.