On November 25, 2024, ultra-Orthodox Jewish activists, known for their staunch anti-Zionist stance, demonstrated in front of the United Nations Headquarters. These activists, particularly from the Neturei Karta (NK) group, oppose the existence of the State of Israel, citing religious beliefs that the establishment of a Jewish state is forbidden before the arrival of the Messiah.

Neturei Karta, meaning “Guardians of the City,” was founded as a breakaway faction from Agudas Yisrael before World War II, rejecting Agudas Yisrael’s growing acceptance of Zionism. The group, which numbers approximately 5,000 globally—just 0.03% of the world’s Jewish population—sees itself as the religious authority on Zionism. They advocate for the peaceful dismantling of Israel and align with groups and regimes opposed to Israel, including Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas.

Despite their small numbers, their protests and alliances—such as attending Holocaust denial conferences in Iran and participating in Al-Quds Day parades—garner significant attention and controversy. Most of their members are based in Israel, the U.S., and the UK, though only a few hundred actively engage in high-profile demonstrations. Their positions, such as blaming Israel for violence and calling for its eradication, are often in stark contrast to mainstream Jewish views, including other Orthodox groups.

Neturei Karta is widely criticized within the broader Jewish community. Many Orthodox Jews strongly disassociate from their actions and beliefs, while others regard them with disdain or outright condemnation. Even some far-left Jewish anti-Zionists dismiss Neturei Karta as fundamentalists who align with the Palestinian cause to further their anti-Zionist agenda.

Neturei Karta represents an extreme and fringe faction whose actions and alliances defy the values and unity of the broader Jewish community. Their alignment with far-left groups, terrorist organizations, and regimes infamous for their antisemitic rhetoric and violence, such as Hezbollah and Iran, reveals a disturbing willingness to undermine Jewish safety and sovereignty for their ideological goals. By lending legitimacy to Holocaust denial and marching alongside those who call for the destruction of Israel, Neturei Karta crosses moral and ethical lines that even far-left Jewish anti-Zionists find reprehensible. Their behavior is not only an affront to Israel but also a betrayal of Jewish history, values, and the memory of those who perished fighting for Jewish survival. The Jewish community must unequivocally condemn Neturei Karta’s toxic rhetoric and actions, recognizing them for what they are: a radical outlier that sows division and fuels antisemitism worldwide.

Meyer Harroch, New York Jewish Travel Guide