Published: 1 December 2023
Last updated: 15 March 2024
PHOTO ESSAY: The black hats and beards of the Neturei Karta are highly visible at pro-Palestinian rallies. GIANLUCA CECERE captures the images and beliefs of these anti-Zionist Jews.
Since the beginnings of modern Zionism, some elements of ultra-Orthodoxy have resisted the idea of the Jewish state, claiming the right to establish a state rested with God and could not precede the coming of the Messiah.
At the forefront of this opposition stands the Neturei Karta movement, a faction within the broader Haredi world which has gone beyond religious resistance to actively support the cause of Palestinians who want to support Israel.
Neturei Karta (Guardians of the City), advocate a "peaceful dismantling" of the State of Israel and demonstrate in support of replacing Israel with Palestine.
Their numbers are unknown as they do not to keep a register of members and estimates range from several hundred to a few thousand. Most live in Israel but there are small communities in New York's Borough Park and in London.
Like other Haredim, they lead a distinctive lifestyle, establishing separate schools prioritising the study of sacred texts, and intentionally distancing themselves from the broader society.
But they are also highly political and their language is extreme. The community’s leader, Rabbi Meir Hirsh, 66, describes the Israeli government as “Nazis”. "They don't kill people like the Nazis did, but they kill the soul because they are against the Torah, the Bible, the rules."
He denies accusations that Neturei Karta went so far as to celebrate Hamas’s October 7 terrorist attack but claims the “real Zionists” support Hamas’s desire for the destruction of the Jewish state.
Rabbi Hirsh’s family has a close relationship with Palestinians. He proudly displays a photo of his father and predecessor as leader, Rabbi Moshe Hirsch, embracing PLO leader Yasser Arafat.
The Neturei Karta are not alone in opposing the state of Israel. Many ultra-Orthodox Jews reject secular Zionism.
"We are simply more determined to fight Zionism,” Rabbi Hirsh says. "Other ultra-Orthodox movements are anti-Zionist but accept state welfare, are represented in parliament, and send their children to public schools. We do not accept any contributions from the government; we pay for private schools and healthcare.
“Our lifestyle involves many sacrifices because we rely exclusively on donors and charity to support the movement."
The disconnect between Neturei Karta and Israeli state institutions is exemplified by Rabbi Hirsh's refusal to pray at the Western Wall, because it is under Israeli government control.
The prevalence of anti-Zionist sentiments in Mea Shearim, the Jerusalem centre of ultra-Orthodoxy, has long been evident with numerous Palestinian flags painted on walls or flying from rooftops.
But after October 7, the municipal police became stricter in dealing with demonstrations and many of the Palestinian flags drawn on walls have been covered with black paint.
Although members of the sect do not use the internet, Yudel Hirsh, 20, a cousin of the Neturei Karta leader, directs me to an X account where police violence against ultra-Orthodox Jews in Mea Shearim is documented.
Rabbi Aviad Neiger, 47, is a Satmar Hasid who shares the Neturei Karta attitude to Zionism.
"Zionism and Judaism are two opposite things. Zionism only thinks of itself, not all Jews. Even the Orthodox present in the Knesset are “so-called” Orthodox, but in reality, they only think about power and money."
But he favours working to convince Israelis rather than reaching out to Arab partners.
“The problem with Arab countries stems precisely from the birth of a state. And then we saw on October 7 that despite the security, the weapons, we were not defended. The fundamental problem is that many Neturei Karta go to Arab countries to say that Jews are not nationalists; but what does it matter to the Arabs? The challenge, instead, is to work on making Jews in Israel understand that they must stop being nationalists, that we are not authorised to build a state before the arrival of the Messiah, and therefore, we should not go against the Torah. This will be much more useful”.
All images: Gianluca Cecere
