Jews
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11. I heard that the Orthodox Jews are very much devoted to the State
of |
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No, we cannot affirm that all the Orthodox Jews are very much devoted
to the State of Israel, because while the Lubavitch and other Orthodox groups
are very much devoted to the Jewish State because they see in its rebirth the
beginning of the messianic redemption, there are some Orthodox groups, such
as Satmar (a Chassidic sect) and Neturei Karta (Aramaic word which
means ‘the keepers of the city’) which are hostile to the Jewish State. |
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The members of Satmar are hostile to the State of Israel because they
regard it as the fruit of the human pride, that is to say, an usurpation of
the prerogative belonging to God. According to them, the Jews must wait for
the Messiah because it is through him that God will re-establish the State of
Israel. To the members of Satmar, the existence of the State of Israel is the
cause of the delay of the coming of the Messiah and of all the misfortunes which
befell the Jews during the twentieth century. |
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The Neturei Karta, who acknowledge the head of Satmar as their
religious guide (therefore the reasons why they are hostile to the Jewish
State are the same as those of Satmar) and live mainly in the Quarter Mea
Sche’arim of Jerusalem, refuse to pay taxes, to vote, and to have an
Israelian passport. |
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On the 29th of November 1947, the day on which the United
Nations approved the partition of Palestine in two states, that is, the
Jewish State and the Arab State, the Jews who lived in Jerusalem went out of
their houses into the streets and squares and began to sing, to dance and to
toast, while the Neturei Karta plunged into mourning. |