Editing Neturei Karta

{{Short description|Haredi Jewish anti-Zionist organization}}
{{pp-extended|small=yes}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}} 
{{Infobox organization
| name                     = Neturei Karta
| image                    = Neturei Karta logo.png
| formation                = {{start date and age|1938}}
| native_name              = {{nobold|{{Script/Hebrew|נָטוֹרֵי קַרְתָּא}}}}<!-- This is Aramaic -->
| native_name_lang         = tmr
| founding_location        = [[Jerusalem]], [[Mandatory Palestine|British Mandate for Palestine]]
| merger                   = 
| merged                   = 
| status                   = [[International non-governmental organization|INGO]]
| purpose                  = [[Anti-Zionism]]
| headquarters             = Jerusalem ([[Mea Shearim]])
| location_city            = [[Beit Shemesh]], [[New York City]], [[London]], [[Paris]], [[Berlin]], [[Toronto]], etc.
| coords                   = <!-- Coordinates of location using {{Coord}} -->
| origins                  = [[World Agudath Israel]]
| region                   = Worldwide
| products                 = [[HaChoma]]
| membership               = 1000–2000 (est. 2007)
| language                 = [[Yiddish]], [[Hebrew]], English, [[Jewish Babylonian Aramaic|Aramaic]]
| leader_title             = Spokesman
| leader_name              = [[Yisroel Dovid Weiss]]
| key_people               = [[Moshe Ber Beck]] (d. 2021)<ref>{{cite news|title=Neturei Karta Leader Moshe Ber Beck Dies In Monsey |url=https://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/featured/1965320/neturei-karta-leader-moshe-ber-beck-dies-in-monsey.html |access-date=16 April 2021 |work=The Yeshiva World |date=16 April 2021}}</ref>
| affiliations             = [[Haredi Judaism]]
| website                  = {{website|https://www.nkusa.org/}}
| footnotes                = 
}}

'''Neturei Karta''' (<!-- regarding vvvvv this: yes, Neturei Karta really is ARAMAIC and not HEBREW. editors already thrice changed Aramaic to Hebrew; this is correct. -->{{Langx|tmr-Hebr|נָטוֹרֵי קַרְתָּא|label=[[Jewish Babylonian Aramaic|Aramaic]]|rtl=yes|Nāṭōrē Qartāʾ|Guardians of the City}}) is a [[List of Jewish anti-Zionist organizations|Jewish anti-Zionist organization]] that advocates [[Palestinian nationalism]]. Founded by and for [[Haredim and Zionism|Haredi Jews opposed to Zionism]], it is primarily active in parts of [[Israel]] and the [[Western world]], where it partakes in activism supporting a form of the [[one-state solution]] in which the [[Palestinian people]] control the combined territory of Israel and the [[State of Palestine]]. The group's opposition to Israel is rooted in its core religious belief that the [[Jewish exile]] must continue until the coming of the [[Messiah in Judaism|Hebrew Messiah]].

Established in [[Jerusalem]] in 1938, Neturei Karta began as an offshoot of [[World Agudath Israel]], which represented the most devout members of the Haredi community of the [[Old Yishuv]]. Initially, World Agudath Israel was largely opposed to the secular orientation of [[political Zionism]], which it believed did not place enough importance on [[Judaism]] and thus constituted a threat to the Haredi way of life. However, it eventually reneged to reach an understanding with Zionist aspirations in light of [[World War II]] and [[the Holocaust]]. The founders of Neturei Karta, [[Amram Blau]] and Aharon Katzenelbogen, disagreed with the Aguda's accommodationist stance and broke off from the movement.

The general view of Neturei Karta is that Israel stands in opposition to [[God in Judaism|God]] because it enabled an effectively secular undoing of the Jewish exile and does not [[Halachic state|govern by religious law]]. The group believes that the [[Jewish people]] may only be restored to the [[Land of Israel]] by the Messiah, who will bring about the [[Universal resurrection#Rabbinic Judaism and Samaritanism|resurrection of the dead]], the [[ingathering of the exiles]], and a complete return to [[613 commandments|Torah law]]. As such, it does not recognize Israel or the [[two-state solution]], and has pursued relationships with entities [[Calls for the destruction of Israel|seeking the destruction of Israel]] throughout the [[Muslim world]]. 

The group's views are considered fringe, even within Haredi Jewish circles.<ref name="Fringe">Sources describing the group as fringe:
*{{cite journal |last1=Zamaret |first1=Zvi |title=Judaism in Israel: Ben-Gurion's Private Beliefs and Public Policy |journal=[[Israel Studies]] |date=Fall 1999 |volume=4 |issue=2 |pages=78 |jstor=30245511 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/30245511 |access-date=9 October 2023 |quote=yet a few years later, women's suffrage was accepted by the entire Orthodox community (excluding Neturei Karata and similar fringe groups)}}
*{{cite news |title=Israeli Anti-Zionist Sentenced for Spying for Iran |url=https://forward.com/news/breaking-news/191723/israeli-anti-zionist-sentenced-for-spying-for-iran/ |access-date=9 October 2023 |work=Jewish Telegraphic Agency |publisher=[[The Forward]] |date=2014-01-28 |quote=Members of Neturei Karta, a fringe ultra-Orthodox sect in Israel, join a pro-Palestinian protest.}}
*{{cite news |last1=Sterman |first1=Adiv |title=Ultra-Orthodox 'Iran spy' sentenced to 4.5 years |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/ultra-orthodox-iran-spy-sentenced-to-4-5-years/ |access-date=9 October 2023 |work=Times of Israel |date=2014-01-28 |quote=Yitzhak Bergel, a member of the anti-Zionist fringe group Neturei Karta, confessed to initiating contact with Iranian officials}}
*{{cite news |last1=Goldman |first1=Mordechai |title=Why these ultra-Orthodox Jews support the Palestinian cause |url=https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2015/11/neturei-karta-ultra-orthodox-demonstration-new-york.html |access-date=9 October 2023 |work=[[Al-Monitor]] |date=2015-11-02 |quote=A member of Neturei Karta, a fringe ultra-Orthodox Jewish movement within the anti-Zionist bloc, carries Palestinian flags during a rally marking the 10th anniversary of the death of late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, in the West Bank city of Ramallah}}</ref> Most notably, Neturei Karta's activities and relationships with the [[Government of Iran|Iranian government]] and many [[Holocaust denial|Holocaust deniers]], including its members' attendance at the [[International Conference to Review the Global Vision of the Holocaust]] in 2006, have drawn condemnation from many other [[Orthodox Jewish movement#Groups|Orthodox Jewish movements]].

== Etymology ==
The name ''Neturei Karta'' means "city guards" in Aramaic<ref name="Haaretzexplainer">{{cite news |title=Explained: Who Are Neturei Karta, the Jewish ultra-Orthodox pro-Palestinian Activists |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2024-03-27/ty-article-magazine/.premium/explained-who-are-neturei-karta-the-jewish-ultra-orthodox-pro-palestinian-activists/0000018e-7039-df85-afde-f77d40640000 |access-date=18 August 2024 |work=[[Haaretz]] |date=2024-03-27 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240630215229/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2024-03-27/ty-article-magazine/.premium/explained-who-are-neturei-karta-the-jewish-ultra-orthodox-pro-palestinian-activists/0000018e-7039-df85-afde-f77d40640000 |archive-date=2024-06-30}}</ref> and is derived from an [[Aggadah|''aggadta'']] recorded in several texts of the [[Talmud]], including the [[Jerusalem Talmud]] [[Hagigah]] 1:7 (page six in the [[Romm publishing house|standard Vilna edition]]). There, it is related that:
<blockquote>[[Judah the Prince]] sent [[Rabbi|rabbis]]{{Efn|In the Yerushalmi and Midrash Tehillim: [[Hiyya the Great|Hiyya]], [[Rabbi Ammi|Immi]], and [[Rabbi Assi|Assi]]. In [[Pesikta de-Rav Kahana|Pesiqta deRav Kehana]], Immi and [[Jose bar Zevida|Jose]]. In [[Eichah Rabbah]], Immi and Assi. Meiri (to Shabbat 114a) recalls "one of their sages". [[Eliezer ben Joel HaLevi]] (Hagigah 10a) recalls "Hiyya and Jose".}} to tour the cities of [[Ancient Israel|Israel]] and establish for them teachers and scribes. They came to one place and did not find a teacher or a scribe. They said, "Bring us the city guards," and the city watchmen were brought.{{Efn|In the Yerushalmi apparently corrupt: "Bring us the city guards, bring us the watchmen." Other versions (including the ''[[Arukh]]'' citation) are as presented. The word סנטרי "watchmen" is Lat. ''saltarii''; see D. Sperber, "On Pubs and Policemen in Roman Palestine" p. 259, S. Lieberman to t. BM 9:14, and Sokoloff, p. 383-384.}} They said, "These are the city ruiners, but those are the city guards."{{Efn|Here the ''Arukh'' appears to preserve the best text, which is presented. In the Yerushalmi and Midrash Tehillim, "These are the city guards!? These are nothing but city ruiners!" In the Pesiqta deRav Kehana and Eichah Rabbah, "These are city guards, these are the city ruiners."}} And who were the city guards? The scribes and the teachers, who guard the [[Torah]] day and night.{{Efn|At this point each version cites a Biblical verse in support, including Ps. 127:1, Josh. 1:8, or both. The ''[[Zohar]]'' (Bo 6:143) has a different interpretation of this aggadta.}}
</blockquote>

The name thus reflects Neturei Karta's original mission to oppose efforts in the [[Old Yishuv]] to establish a Jewish armed force during the [[1936–1939 Arab revolt in Palestine|1936–1939 Arab revolt]], as the group believed that such a force would be destructive and that Torah scholars are the true guards of the Jewish people.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Inbari |first=Motti |date=2010 |title=Rabbi Amram Blau Founder of the Neturei Karta Movement: An Abridged Biography |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/23509957 |journal=Hebrew Union College Annual |volume=81 |pages=193–232 |jstor=23509957 |issn=0360-9049}}</ref> Today, Neturei Karta members generally understand the name to mean that they defend their interpretation of [[Jewish religious law]] against that of other rabbis, namely those who do not oppose modern Israel's existence.<ref name="whatnk">{{Cite web |date= |title=What is the Neturei Karta? |url=http://www.nkusa.org/aboutus/index.cfm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070119225145/http://www.nkusa.org/aboutus/index.cfm |archive-date=19 January 2007 |access-date= |website=nkusa.org}}</ref>

==History==
{{further|Haredim and Zionism}}
[[File:Beis Medrash Toiroh Veyiroh.jpg|thumb|Neturei Karta synagogue and study hall in [[Jerusalem]]]]

===Before modern Israel===
In the [[Old Yishuv]] under the [[Ottoman Empire]], the religious Jewish communities primarily concentrated in the Jewish holy cities of [[Jerusalem]], [[Safed]], [[Hebron]], and [[Tiberias]] largely eschewed the secular orientation of [[political Zionism]], which they saw as a potential threat to their way of life.<ref name="Haaretzexplainer" /> They resented the new arrivals, who were predominantly non-religious, while they asserted that Jewish redemption could be brought about only by the Jewish messiah.{{citation needed|date=August 2024}}

In 1921, some of the most devout of the Ashkenazi Old Yishuv formed the [[Haredi Council of Jerusalem]] as a counterpoint to the [[Chief Rabbinate]], created by the British [[Mandatory Palestine]] government. The Haredi saw the rabbinate as a capitulation to the secular Zionists and their nationalist aspirations.<ref name="Haaretzexplainer" />

The [[World Agudath Israel|Aguda movement]] represented by the Haredi Council opposed the formation of a [[Jewish state|Jewish political state]] in the [[Land of Israel]] and discouraged its European members from [[Second Aliyah|immigrating to Palestine]]. However, in the 1930s, the movement adopted a more compromising and accommodationist approach to the Zionist movement in response to rising antisemitism in Europe. Aguda's leniency was too much for Rabbi [[Amram Blau]], active in Aguda's Jerusalem chapter. Along with Rabbi Aharon Katzenelbogen, Blau split with the Aguda in 1937 and co-founded Chevrat HaChayim, quickly renamed Neturei Karta.<ref name="Haaretzexplainer" /><ref>Rabbi Amram Blau Founder of the Neturei Karta Movement: An Abridged Biography. Motti Inbari, Hebrew Union College Annual, Vol. 81 (2010), pp. 11-12.</ref>

===Since Israeli independence===
[[File:Judaism condemns Israel's atrocities -6 (52032176719).jpg|thumb|Members of Neturei Karta holding Palestinian flags and placards saying that "Judaism condemns the state of Israel and its atrocities" in London, 2022]]
After the [[Israeli Declaration of Independence|creation of the modern State of Israel]] in 1948, Neturei Karta refused to recognize the Israeli government or any of its institutions. The group began holding public protests that often turned violent over what they perceived as the secularization of Jerusalem, the violation of [[Shabbat]] in ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods, and public gender mixing.<ref name="Haaretzexplainer" />

After the [[Six Day War]], Neturei Karta began cultivating friendly relationships in the [[Arab world]]. In 1969, the group protested Israel outside the [[United Nations]], then in 1970 held a similar protest with the new [[Palestine Liberation Organization]] (PLO). Then Neturei Karta leader [[Moshe Hirsch]] befriended PLO leader [[Yasir Arafat]], who many Israelis viewed as their public enemy number one. Arafat appointed Hirsch to the symbolic position of Jewish affairs minister, receiving a $30,000 monthly salary.<ref name="Haaretzexplainer" /> Two Neturei Karta members participated in a 2004 prayer vigil for Arafat outside the [[Hôpital d'instruction des armées Percy|Percy Military Hospital]] in [[Paris]], [[France]], where he lay on his death bed,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/11/international/europe/11vigil.html?_r=0|newspaper=New York Times|title=Arafat's Followers Kept Solemn Vigil Outside Hospital in France|author=Elaine Sciolino|date=11 November 2004|access-date=7 January 2013}}</ref> an act widely condemned by other Orthodox Jewish organizations, including many other anti-Zionist Haredi organizations, both in New York and Jerusalem. Hirsh attended Arafat's funeral in Ramallah.<ref name="Forwardexplainer" />

==Members==
[[File:Members of Neturei Karta Orthodox Jewish group protest against Israel.jpg|thumb|Members of Neturei Karta at a [[Palestinian nationalism|pro-Palestinian rally]] in the United Kingdom, 2005]]
[[File:Al-Quds 2014 Berlin 20140725 173841.jpg|thumb|Members of Neturei Karta at the [[Quds Day]] protests in Berlin 2014]]

Generally, members of Neturei Karta are descendants of [[Hungary|Hungarian]] Jews and [[Lithuanian Jews]] who were students of the [[Vilna Gaon|Gaon of Vilna]] (known as ''[[Perushim]]'') who had settled in Jerusalem in the early nineteenth century. In the late nineteenth century, their ancestors participated in the creation of new neighborhoods outside the city walls to alleviate overcrowding in the Old City, and most are now concentrated in the neighborhood of [[Batei Ungarin]] and the larger [[Meah Shearim]] neighborhood. Members of the [[Malachim (Hasidic group)|Malachim]] are also prominently represented within Neturei Karta.

Neturei Karta is notoriously vague about its size, and there are no official population statistics available, in 1971, it was reported to consist of several hundred families in Israel and throughout the diaspora.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Lamm |first=Norman |date=1971 |title=THE IDEOLOGY OF THE NETUREI KARTA: According to the Satmarer Version |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/23257379 |journal=Tradition: A Journal of Orthodox Jewish Thought |volume=12 |issue=2 |pages=38–53 |jstor=23257379 |issn=0041-0608}}</ref> As recently as 2007, the group was reported to have a few thousand members.<ref>{{cite news | last = Santos | first = Fernanda  | title = New York Rabbi Finds Friends in Iran and Enemies at Home  | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/15/nyregion/15rabbi.html  | newspaper = The New York Times  | date = 2007-01-15  | access-date = 2024-04-16}}</ref> ''[[Haaretz]]'' estimated in 2024 that the group had a membership in the low thousands, predominantly in Israel, but also in diaspora locations with large populations of ultra-Orthodox Jews.<ref name="Haaretzexplainer" />

==Relationship with other Jewish movements==
The group's strong anti-Zionist stance and controversial tactics place Neturei Karta on the fringe, even in [[Haredi Judaism|Haredi]], or ultra-Orthodox circles. Other movements, including [[Anti-Zionism|anti-Zionist]] sects like the [[Satmar]], have disavowed Neturei Karta and condemned its activities.<ref name=Fringe /><ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/religion/Story/0,2763,846993,00.html In a state over Israel] by Simon Rocker (''[[The Guardian]]'') 25 November 2002</ref><ref name="Forwardexplainer">{{cite news |last1=Fox |first1=Mira |title=What is Neturei Karta, the Orthodox group at all the pro-Palestinian protests? |url=https://forward.com/culture/570974/neturei-karta-orthodox-jewish-israel-palestine-protests/ |access-date=20 August 2024 |work=[[The Forward]] |date=2023-11-22}}</ref> The Satmar movement criticized Neturei Karta for attending the [[International Conference to Review the Global Vision of the Holocaust]] in Tehran in 2006.<ref name="Levenson2012">{{cite book|author=Alan T. Levenson|title=The Wiley-Blackwell History of Jews and Judaism|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KgJtcvs7ObAC&pg=PT455|access-date=7 January 2013|date=12 March 2012|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|isbn=978-1-118-23293-4|page=455}}</ref> During the [[Gaza war]], Rabbi [[Zalman Leib Teitelbaum]], one of the two Grand Rebbes of Satmar, condemned Neturei Karta, calling the group's support for Hamas "a terrible desecration of God's name." Rabbi [[Yosef Yitzchak Jacobson]], a leading [[Chabad]] rabbi, condemned Neturei Karta and described their actions as "like somebody marching with [[Hitler]]."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hakimi |first1=Lauren |title=YY Jacobson on Neturei Karta: 'I doubt they're really Jewish,' claims they are agents of Iran |url=https://www.shtetl.org/article/yy-jacobson-neturei-karta-doubt-theyre-jewish-sick-people |access-date=28 August 2024 |work=Shtetl |date=2023-12-26}}</ref>

One of the targets of the [[2008 Mumbai attacks]] was the [[Nariman House]], which was operated by the Jewish [[Chabad]] movement. Neturei Karta subsequently issued a leaflet criticising the [[Chabad]] movement for its relations with "the filthy, deplorable traitors – the cursed [[Zionists]] that are your friends." It added that the Chabad movement has been imbued with "false national sentiment" and criticised the organisation for allowing all Jews to stay in its centres, without differentiating "between good and evil, right and wrong, pure and impure, a Jew and a person who joins another religion, a believer and a heretic." The leaflet also criticised the invitation of Israeli state officials to the funerals of the victims, claiming that they "uttered words of heresy and blasphemy." The leaflet concluded that "the road [Chabad] have taken is the road of death and it leads to doom, assimilation and the uprooting of the Torah."<ref>[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3638621,00.html Neturei Karta: Chabad punished for alliance with Zionists] by Kobi Nahshoni, Ynet News, 15 December 2008.</ref><ref>[http://jta.org/news/article/2008/12/15/1001549/leaflet-mumbai-chabad-attack-gods-punishment Leaflet: Mumbai Chabad attack ‘God's punishment'], Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA), 15 December 2008.</ref>

Jewish groups often accuse Neturei Karta of selling out their fellow Jews by allying with antisemitic groups and using their appearance at rallies as [[Tokenism|token Jews]].<ref name="Forwardexplainer" /> Neturei Karta have compared Zionists to Nazis;<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last= |date=2011-05-03 |title=Neturei Karta protest Holocaust Day |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4063886,00.html |access-date=2025-02-24 |work=Ynetnews |language=en}}</ref> they have denied the Judaism of Zionists, with statements like: "Zionists are not Jews, only racists" and "Zionism does not represent the Jewish people."<ref>{{Cite news |last=McCarthy |first=Rory |date=2007-08-03 |title=The ultra-Orthodox Jews on a mission to save Jerusalem from secularism |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/aug/03/israel.religion |access-date=2025-02-24 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=2007-08-09 |title=Anti-Israel "rabbis" face fallout from Jewish world |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/world/anti-israel-rabbis-face-fallout-from-jewish-world-idUSL21860038/ |work=Reuters}}</ref>

==Beliefs==
[[File:Neturei Karta in Boston 2.jpg|thumb|Neturei Karta members at an event in [[Boston, Massachusetts]]]]

=== Exile of the Jewish people ===
Neturei Karta stress what is said in the [[mussaf]] [[Shemona Esrei]] ("The Standing Prayer") of [[Jewish holidays|Yom Tov]], that because of their sins, the Jewish people went into exile from the [[Land of Israel]] ("''umipnei chatoeinu golinu meiartzeinu''{{-"}}). Additionally, they maintain the view that any form of forceful recapture of the Land of Israel is a violation of divine will.{{citation needed|date=August 2024}} They believe that the restoration of the Land of Israel to the Jews should happen only with the coming of the Messiah, not by [[self-determination]], and some believe that the introduction of less-[[spiritual practice|observant]] Jews would cause problems in the sacred land as defined by the [[Torah]].<ref>{{Britannica|Neturei-Karta|Neturei Karta|Charles Preston}}</ref>

=== Conditions for Jewish sovereignty in the Land of Israel ===
Neturei Karta believes that the [[Messiah in Judaism|Messiah]] will usher in a Jewish theocracy to rule over the Land of Israel. The messiah will bring about the [[resurrection of the dead]], the [[ingathering of the exiles]], and a complete return to Torah law.<ref name="Haaretzexplainer" />

Neturei Karta believe that the exile of the Jews can end only with the arrival of the Messiah, and that human attempts to establish Jewish sovereignty over the Land of Israel are sinful. In Neturei Karta's view, Zionism is a presumptuous affront against [[Names of God in Judaism|God]]. Chief among their arguments against Zionism is the [[Talmud]]ic concept of the so-called [[Three Oaths]], extracted from the discussion of certain portions of the Bible. It states that a pact consisting of three oaths was made between God, the Jewish people, and the nations of the world, when the Jews were sent into exile. One provision of the pact was that the Jews would not rebel against the non-Jewish world that gave them sanctuary; a second was that they would not immigrate en masse to the [[Land of Israel]]. In return, the gentile nations promised not to persecute the Jews. By rebelling against this pact, they argued, the Jewish people were engaging in rebellion against God.

The Neturei Karta synagogues follow the customs of the [[Gaon of Vilna]], due to Neturei Karta's origin within the [[Lithuanian Jews|Lithuanian]] rather than [[Hasidic Judaism|Hasidic]] branch of [[Haredi Judaism]]. Neturei Karta is not a Hasidic but a [[Litvish]] group; they are often mistaken for Hasidim because their style of dress (including a [[shtreimel]] on [[Shabbat|Shabbos]]) is very similar to that of Hasidim. This style of dress is not unique to Neturei Karta, but is also the style of other Jerusalem Litvaks, such as Rabbi [[Yosef Sholom Eliashiv]] and his followers. Furthermore, [[Shomer Emunim]], a Hasidic group with a similar anti-Zionist ideology, is often bundled together with Neturei Karta. Typically, the Jerusalem Neturei Karta will keep the customs of the "Old ''Yishuv''{{-"}} of the city of Jerusalem even when living outside of Jerusalem or even when living abroad, as a demonstration of their love for and connection to the Holy Land.

===Relationship with the State of Israel===
In July 2013, the [[Shin Bet]] arrested a 46-year-old member of Neturei Karta for allegedly attempting to [[espionage|spy]] on Israel for [[Iran]]. As part of a [[plea deal]], the man was sentenced to 4{{fraction|1|2}} years in prison.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.jta.org/2014/01/28/news-opinion/israel-middle-east/israeli-neturei-karta-member-sentenced-for-spying-for-iran|title=Israeli Neturei Karta member sentenced for spying for Iran|date=28 January 2014|publisher=Jewish Telegraphic Agency|access-date=29 January 2014}}</ref> Neturei Karta has denied that he had ever been a member of their group.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://nkusa.org/articles/slander.cfm|title = Neturei Karta Statement on Zionist Slander}}</ref>

Neturei Karta's website states that its members "frequently participate[s] in public burning of the Israeli flag." On the Jewish holiday of [[Purim]], Neturei Karta members have routinely burned Israeli flags in celebrations in cities such as [[London]], [[Brooklyn]] and [[Jerusalem]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.nkusa.org/activities/demonstrations/israeliflag.cfm | title=Public burning of the Israeli flag | publisher=NKI International}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://mediagallery.usatoday.com/Neturei+Karta | title=neturei karta photos | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206124941/http://mediagallery.usatoday.com/Neturei+Karta |archivedate=2013-12-06 | first=Sebastian | last=Scheiner | agency=[[Associated Press]] | date=20 November 2007 | via=''[[USA Today]]'' Photos}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3856290,00.html | title=Neturei Karta burn Israeli flags in Jerusalem | first=Kobi | last=Nahshoni | publisher=Ynet news | date=2 March 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/conference-of-presidents-time-to-cut-off-neturei-karta/ | title=Conference of Presidents: Time to cut off Neturei Karta | first=Ron | last=Friedman | newspaper=[[Times of Israel]] | date=4 April 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.jewishpress.com/news/httpwww-jewishpress-comwp-adminmedia-new-php/2014/01/28/ | title=Neturei Karta Spy for Iran Sentenced to Four Years in Jail | first=Tzvi | last=Ben-Gedalyahu | work=[[Jewish Press]] | date=28 January 2014}}</ref>

While many in Neturei Karta chose to simply ignore the [[State of Israel]], this has become more difficult.{{When|date=October 2024}} Some took steps to condemn Israel and bring about its eventual dismantling until the coming of the [[Jewish Messiah|Messiah]]. Chief among these was [[Moshe Hirsch]], leader of an activist branch of Neturei Karta, who served in [[Yasser Arafat]]'s cabinet as Minister for Jewish Affairs.<ref name="MeltonBaumann2010">{{cite book|first1=J. Gordon | last1=Melton|first2=Martin | last2=Baumann|title=Religions of the World, Second Edition: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=v2yiyLLOj88C&pg=PA2066|access-date=7 January 2013|date=21 September 2010|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-1-59884-204-3|page=2066}}</ref>

==Activities==
===Palestinian nationalism===
[[File:Neturei karta2.jpg|thumb|Members of Neturei Karta show their support for Lebanon and Palestine during a peace demonstration in [[Trafalgar Square]], 30th July 2006.]]
Neturei Karta supports a sovereign [[Palestinian state]] in the present, however, argues for complete Jewish sovereignty in the Holy Land upon the arrival of the Messiah.<ref name="Haaretzexplainer" />[[File:148.FreePalestineRally.WDC.4November2023 (53331035524).jpg|thumb|Neturei Karta at the [[National March on Washington: Free Palestine]], 2023]]

In addition to halakhic opposition to the organization of a Jewish state in the Holy Land, Neturei Karta also criticizes Israeli policies of aggression towards Palestinian people.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2023-01-10 |title='We're Palestinian Jews:' Neturei Karta meet with Islamic Jihad leaders |url=https://www.jpost.com/arab-israeli-conflict/article-728082 |access-date=2023-11-11 |website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com |language=en-US}}</ref> They have rejected the claim that Israel is democratic, citing what they refer to as racist, genocidal treatment of Palestinians.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Keren-Kratz |first=Menachem |date=2023 |title=Satmar and Neturei Karta: Jews Against Zionism |url=https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/8/article/896175 |journal=Modern Judaism |volume=43 |issue=1 |pages=52–76 |doi=10.1093/mj/kjac023 |issn=1086-3273}}</ref>

===Relations with Palestinian groups===
After the [[Gaza War (2008–09)|Gaza War]], four Neturei Karta members crossed into [[Gaza Strip|Gaza]] in 2010 as part of the [[Gaza Freedom March]] to celebrate Jewish ''[[Shabbos]]'' and show support for Palestinians.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/anti-zionist-ultra-orthodox-jews-celebrate-sabbath-in-gaza-1.265558 |date=1 January 2010 |title= Anti-Zionist ultra-Orthodox Jews celebrate Sabbath in Gaza|work=Haaretz}}</ref><ref>[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3828351,00.html "Ultra-Orthodox Jews make rare visit to Gaza,"] Associated Press, Published: 01.01.10, www.ynetnews.com</ref>

In January 2023, three members of Neturei Karta met with prominent [[Palestinian Islamic Jihad]] (PIJ) officials and families of Palestinian militants during a visit to the [[Jenin refugee camp]]. The Neturei Karta members also visited the home of Bassam al-Saadi, who was jailed by Israel for PIJ leadership activities.<ref>{{cite news |date=2023-01-10 |title=Anti-Zionist Haredi sect members visit Jenin, meet terror-linked Palestinians |work=Times of Israel |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/anti-zionist-haredi-sect-members-visit-jenin-meet-terror-linked-palestinians/ |access-date=9 October 2023}}</ref> Upon their return to Israel, Israeli authorities arrested two of the Neturei Karta members for unlawful entry to [[Area A]] of the West Bank.<ref>{{cite news |date=2023-01-17 |title=Police arrest second Neturei Karta man who met Palestinian terrorists in Jenin |work=Jewish News Syndicate |url=https://www.jns.org/police-arrest-second-neturei-karta-man-who-met-palestinian-terrorists-in-jenin/ |access-date=9 October 2023}}</ref> The Satmar rebbe publicly denounced the group for their conduct, remarking in his speech that "It is a terrible desecration of God's name to support murderers in the name of the holy Torah and God's name."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-13 |title='A terrible desecration of God's name' - Satmar Rebbe condemns anti-Israel protesters |url=https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-773037 |website=Jerusalem Post}}</ref>

Neturei Karta asserts that the mass media deliberately downplays their viewpoint and makes them out to be few in number. Their protests in America are usually attended by, at most, a few dozen people. In Israel, the group's protests typically attract several hundred participants, depending on the nature of the protest and its location.<ref>Connections Magazine "In 'Honor' of Yom Haatzmaut: A Few RBS Haredim Wore Sackcloth and Hung Palestinian Flags" Temura, 1 May 2006</ref>

Neturei Karta regularly participates in pro-Palestine protests, including protests organized by Palestinian-led groups like [[Within Our Lifetime]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-06 |title=Pro-Palestinian protestors gather outside NYU Tisch Hospital in support of Gaza hospital director |url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-836369 |access-date=2025-02-24 |website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Bogen |first=Amir |date=2022-08-30 |title=Palestinians rally in New York in support of hunger-striking prisoner |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hj8ja4iji |access-date=2025-02-24 |work=Ynetnews |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |last2= |first2= |date=2022-04-21 |title=Several dozen at pro-Palestinian march on NY consulate call to ‘globalize intifada’ |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/several-dozen-at-pro-palestinian-march-on-ny-consulate-call-to-globalize-intifada/ |access-date=2025-02-24 |website=Times of Israel |language=en-US}}</ref> Their signs at [[Gaza war]] protests criticize Israel with harsh language like: "Torah true Jews oppose the aggression in [[Al-Aqsa Mosque|al-Aqsa]] and the [[Israeli-occupied territories|occupation]] of all Palestine" and “State of ‘Israel’ does not represent world Jewry!" According to ''[[The Forward]]'', the bulk of their statements at protests do not reference their [[Halakha|halakhic]] opposition to Israel but publicly appear close to the views of left-wing American Jewish groups such as [[IfNotNow]] and [[Jewish Voice for Peace]].<ref name="Forwardexplainer" />

===Relationship with Iran===
In October 2005, Neturei Karta leader Rabbi [[Yisroel Dovid Weiss]] issued a statement criticising Jewish attacks on [[Iran]]ian President [[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad]]. Weiss wrote that Ahmadinejad's statements were not "indicative of anti-Jewish sentiments", but rather, "a yearning for a better, more peaceful world", and "re-stating the beliefs and statements of [[Ayatollah Khomeini]], who always emphasized and practiced the respect and protection of Jews and Judaism."<ref>[http://www.nkusa.org/activities/Statements/2005Oct28Iran.cfm The Orthodox Jewish response to the criticism of the Iranian President (statement for Al Q'uds Day)] (NKUSA) 28 October 2005.</ref>

In March 2006, several members of a Neturei Karta's faction visited [[Iran]], where they met with Iranian leaders, including the vice-president, and praised Ahmadinejad for calling for the "Zionist regime" occupying Jerusalem to vanish from the pages of time. The spokesmen commented that they shared Ahmadinejad's aspiration for "a disintegration of the Israeli government".<ref>{{cite news|last=Freund|first=Michael|url=https://www.jpost.com/Jewish-World/Jewish-News/Neturei-Karta-sect-pays-visit-to-Iran|title=Neturei Karta Sect Pays Visit to Iran|work=The Jerusalem Post|date=6 March 2006|access-date=4 January 2019}}</ref> In an interview with Iranian television reporters, Rabbi Weiss remarked: "The Zionists use the Holocaust issue to their benefit. We, Jews who perished in the Holocaust, do not use it to advance our interests. We stress that there are hundreds of thousands Jews around the world who identify with our opposition to the Zionist ideology and who feel that Zionism is not Jewish, but a political agenda. ... What we want is not a withdrawal to the '67 borders, but to everything included in it, so the country can go back to the Palestinians and we could live with them ...".<ref>[http://www.ynetnews.com/Ext/Comp/ArticleLayout/CdaArticlePrintPreview/1,2506,L-3226600,00.html Neturei Karta in Iran: Zionists use Holocaust] by Roee Nahmias ([[YNetNews]]) 12 March 2006</ref>

==== Attendance at Holocaust denial conference in Tehran ====
In December 2006, members of Neturei Karta, including Yisroel Dovid Weiss, attended the [[International Conference to Review the Global Vision of the Holocaust]], a controversial conference held in [[Tehran]], [[Iran]] that attracted a number of high-profile [[Holocaust denial|Holocaust deniers]].<ref name="BBC">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/6171503.stm Why are Jews at the 'Holocaust denial' conference?] 12 December, [[BBC]] 2006</ref>

In his speech, Weiss explained that the occurrence of the Nazi Holocaust was irrefutable and spoke about the murder of his own grandparents at Auschwitz, but claimed that Zionists had "collaborated with the Nazis" and "thwarted...efforts to save...Jews" and expressed solidarity with the Iranian position of [[anti-Zionism]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nkusa.org/activities/speeches/2006iran-weissspeech.cfm|title=Speech by Rabbi Y. D. Weiss, Tehran Conference|last=Weiss|first=Yisroel|date=12 December 2006|website=Neturei Karta International|access-date=2018-09-05}}</ref> [[Yonah Metzger]], the Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi of Israel, immediately called for those who went to Tehran to be put into '[[Herem (censure)|cherem]]', a form of ex-communication.<ref name = "YNet">[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3340082,00.html Rabbi Metzger: Boycott Neturei Karta participants of Iran conference] ([[YNetNews]]) 14 December 2006.</ref> Subsequently, the [[Satmar|Satmar Hassidism]] court called on Jews "to keep away from them and condemn their actions".<ref>[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3340592,00.html Satmar court slams Neturei Karta] ([[YNetNews]]) 15 December 2006</ref>

On 21 December, the [[Edah HaChareidis|Edah HaChareidis rabbinical council]] of Jerusalem also released a statement calling on the public to distance itself from those who went to Iran. The Edah's statement followed, in major lines, the Satmar statement released a few days earlier.<ref>[http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/newscontent.php3?artid=13452 Black Eye For Black Hats After Tehran Hate Fest] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110517025621/http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/newscontent.php3?artid=13452 |date=2011-05-17 }} (''[[The Jewish Week]]'') 22 December 2006</ref> In January 2007, a group of protesters stood outside the Neturei Karta synagogue in [[Monsey, New York]], demanding that they leave Monsey and move to Iran. Neturei Karta and their supporters from Monsey's Orthodox community responded with a counter-protest.<ref name="Anti Neturei Karta protest">{{cite web|url=http://www.nkusa.org/activities/demonstrations/20070107.cfm|publisher=Neturei Karta International|title=Anti Neturei Karta protest}}</ref>

==Factionalism==
[[File:Nkcherem.jpg|thumb|Condemnation poster, or [[pashkvil]]]]
In the [[United States]], the Neturei Karta were led by [[Moshe Ber Beck]] of [[Monsey, New York]] until his death in 2021. They affiliate with the radical branch that was led by Moshe Hirsch. Beck had courted controversy by meeting with [[Nation of Islam]] leader Minister [[Louis Farrakhan]],<ref>[http://www.finalcall.com/national/noi_rabbis1-11-2000.htm Third meeting held between Nation of Islam and rabbis] by Saeed Shabazz ([[The Final Call (newspaper)|Final Call]]) 11 January 2000.</ref><ref name="Levenson2012" /> who has been accused of inciting [[antisemitism]] and of describing [[Judaism]] as a "gutter religion" (Farrakhan says his words were misinterpreted).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.noi.org/statements/rift/Wanniski12-22-1997.htm|title=Minister Farrakhan rebuts fraudulent "Judaism is a Gutter Religion" canard|date=22 December 1997|publisher=The Nation of Islam}}</ref> In addition, after meeting with the representatives from Neturei Karta, Farrakhan indicated he would be more cautious in his choice of words in the future.<ref>[http://www.nkusa.org/Books/Publications/exileandredemption.cfm Exile and Redemption: The Torah Approach] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060906100523/http://www.nkusa.org/Books/Publications/exileandredemption.cfm |date=2006-09-06 }} by a Friend of Neturei Karta (NKUSA) February, 2000.</ref>

===''Sikrikim''===
A radical breakaway faction<ref name="guardian">{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/sep/19/jerusalem-bookshop-targeted-extremists | title=Jerusalem bookshop targeted by 'mafia-like' extremists | work=[[The Guardian]] | date=19 September 2011 | access-date=18 January 2013 | author=Browne, Luke}}</ref> called ''[[Sikrikim]]'' is based in Israel, mainly in [[Jerusalem]] and [[Beit Shemesh]]. The group's engagement in acts of vandalism, "[[mafia]]-like intimidation" and violent protests caused several people, including authority figures, to push for officially labeling them as a [[List of designated terrorist groups|terrorist group]], along with Neturei Karta.<ref name="ynn1">{{cite news | url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3960241,00.html | title=MK wants Neturei Karta classified as terrorists | work=[[Ynetnews]] | date=10 March 2010 | access-date=18 January 2013 | author=Galahar, Ari}}</ref><ref name="ynn2">{{cite news | url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4181802,00.html | title=ZAKA founder slams haredi violence | work=Ynetnews | date=3 March 2012 | access-date=18 January 2013}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Jacob Israël de Haan]]

==References==
{{Notelist}}{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==

* Menashe Darash, ''Neturei Karta Of Meah Shearim''. Atnata 2010 {{ISBN|978-965-91505-0-2}} (Hebrew language)
* {{cite web | last=Fink | first=Rachel | title=Explained: Who Are Neturei Karta, the Jewish ultra-Orthodox pro-Palestinian Activists | website=Haaretz.com | date=27 March 2024 | url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2024-03-27/ty-article-magazine/.premium/explained-who-are-neturei-karta-the-jewish-ultra-orthodox-pro-palestinian-activists/0000018e-7039-df85-afde-f77d40640000 | access-date=2 January 2025}}
* {{cite web | last=Levy | first=Eldad | title=Anti-Zionist Neturei Karta are no friend of the Palestinian national struggle | website=+972 Magazine | date=28 November 2012 | url=https://www.972mag.com/anti-zionist-jews-are-no-friend-of-the-palestinian-national-struggle/ | access-date=2 January 2025}}
* {{cite web | last=Lipson | first=Molly | title=Neturei Karta are not your allies | website=Vashti Media | date=29 December 2023 | url=https://vashtimedia.com/neturei-karta-not-your-allies-anti-zionist-jews/ | access-date=2 January 2025}}
* [[Yakov M. Rabkin]], ''A Threat from Within: A Century of Jewish Opposition to Zionism''. (Zed Books/Palgrave Macmillan, 2006) {{ISBN|1-84277-699-1}}
* {{cite web | last=Sugarman | first=Daniel | title=the extreme Jewish fringe group beloved of many anti-Zionists | website=The Jewish Chronicle | date=11 September 2017 | url=https://www.thejc.com/lets-talk/a-short-guide-to-neturei-karta-the-anti-zionists-favourite-fringe-jewish-sect-plivegmd | access-date=2 January 2025}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Neturei Karta}}
* {{official website|http://www.nkusa.org/|Neturei Karta International}}

{{OrthodoxJudaism}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1938 establishments in Mandatory Palestine]]
[[Category:Anti-Israeli sentiment in Europe]]
[[Category:Anti-Israeli sentiment in the United States]]
[[Category:Jewish anti-Zionist organizations]]
[[Category:Aramaic words and phrases]]
[[Category:Haredi Judaism]]
[[Category:Jewish anti-Zionism in Israel]]
[[Category:Jewish anti-Zionism in Mandatory Palestine]]
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[[Category:Jewish religious movements]]
[[Category:Palestinian Jews]]
[[Category:Haredi anti-Zionism]]
[[Category:Jewish organizations established in 1935]]
[[Category:Neturei Karta| ]]