Jewish solidarity with Palestinians
JVL Introduction
For many people – too many as Molly Lipson makes clear in her article below – Neturei Karta has become the public face of the anti-Zionist Jew.
It says quite a lot that a small sect – they seem to have a presence in London, New York and Jerusalem with no more than five thousand members in all worldwide – should have become an icon of Jewish resistance to Zionism.
Anyone who has been on a London demonstration for Palestine will be familiar with them and their orthodox presentation of self – long payes (sideburns), long black coats and streimel (fur hats) on even the hottest of days. Needless to say, they are all men for women’s place is elsewhere.
Their unabashed anti-Zionism is refreshing, but its roots lie in a fundamentalist, theological thinking that has nothing in common with the human-rights based solidarity movement we are proud to be a part of.
Our enemy’s enemy is not necessarily our friend. In Simpson’s view we can all find better allies elsewhere.
RK
PS: we have added two letters to the editor in response to the article below, published in The Pickle, 5th Jan 2023
This article was originally published by Vashti on Fri 29 Dec 2023. Read the original here.
Neturei Karta are not your allies
Despite representing only a fraction of the Jews attending pro-Palestine marches, Neturei Karta have become the poster children of Jewish anti-Zionism. But under the surface lie some uncomfortable truths.
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Totally agree. Thought this for many years. Fundamentalist and reactionary sects of any religion aren’t my allies. They are not starting from the same principles I hold or reaching the same conclusions. In this specific case, NK hold that ‘God’ gave Israel to the Jews. You can’t argue with that any more than with Muslims who believe Allah reallocated it to them, it’s Waqf, can never be shared etc. Blood and soil in both cases.
Thank you for this clarification. I have wondered about them; who they are; what their creed is…
Very helpful.
Whilst much of this is very well, I believe there are hassidic groups other than Neturei Karta that have similar theological objections to the state of Israel, not all of whom maintain relations with Iran. Despite feeling uncomfortable about the social conservatism of ultra-orthodox judaism their presence on the demos makes a good point about the diversity of jewish beliefs and opinions.