A Conversation with Rabbi Yisroel Dovid Weiss on the Distinction Between Judaism and Zionism

El-Hajj Mauri’ Saalakhan conducts a Facebook live session with Rabbi Yisroel Dovid Weiss on the distinction between Judaism and Zionism. This video was published by Salaamedia on Aug 16, 2020. Table of Content: - Background of Rabbi Yisroel Dovid Weiss - Distinction Between Judaism and Zionism - Founders of the Movement of Zionism - Secular Origin of the Movement of Zionism - Israeli Occupation of Palestine - Isreali Persecution of Anti-Zionist Jews - Jewish Opposition to Zionism in Occupied Palestine Rabbi Yisroel Dovid Weiss is an activist and spokesperson for Neturei Karta. Neturei Karta is a religious group of anti-Zionist Orthodox Jews founded in Jerusalem (Al-Quds), Palestine in 1938. The name was given to a group of Orthodox Jews in Jerusalem (Al-Quds) who refused (and still refuse) to recognize the existence or authority of the State of Israel. Over the years, a number of Neturei Karta activists and followers settled outside of Palestine. Some of the reasons that these individuals abandoned the country in which they and their families had lived for many generations include; ideological refusal to live under what they consider to be an illegitimate heretical “Israeli“ regime, their being exiled by the Zionist government for their insistence of remaining independent of this illegitimate heretical regime, or them being unable to live a normal family life due to them and their families being persistently harassed, repeatedly incarcerated and many times even physically tortured by the Zionist police and agents. This dispersion resulted in the emergence of various Neturei Karta establishments on the broader international scene. These establishments include synagogues, educational institutions, publishing houses and organizations. Neturei Karta is opposed to the ideology of Zionism which they consider to be an innovation and a heresy. They reject its policy of aggression, cruelty, and its brutal treatment of the Palestinian people and others. They proclaim that this inhumane policy is in violation of the Torah. Neturei Karta highlight that they are not—as is often alleged—a small sect or an extremist group of “ultra-orthodox“ Jews; they are fighting the changes and inroads made by political Zionism during the past century. The name Neturei Karta is usually given to those people who regularly pray in the Neturei Karta synagogues, study in or send their children to educational institutions run by Neturei Karta, or actively participate in activities, assemblies or demonstrations called by the Neturei Karta. Although the number of families which could be classified as Neturei Karta members or activists is relatively small (several thousand), the number of Orthodox Jews who believe in the anti-Zionist ideology which Neturei Karta is known for, number in the hundreds of thousands. Neturei Karta emphasize that they oppose the State of Israel not because it operates secularly, but because the entire concept of a sovereign Jewish state is contrary to Jewish Law. They believe that Jews are not allowed to dominate, kill, harm or demean another people and are not allowed to have anything to do with the Zionist enterprise, their political meddling and their wars. For this reason, Neturei Karta forbid any participation with the State of Israel or any of its subsidiaries. Neturei Karta followers do not participate in “Israeli“ elections nor do they accept any aid from “Bituach Le’Umi“ (Social Security), and the educational institutions of the Neturei Karta reject any form of financial support from the so-called “Va’ad HaYeshivos“ (equivalent to Department of Education). They maintain that it matters little which individuals or parties govern in the Zionist state because the very establishment and existence of the state itself is to be condemned and to be deplored. Neturei Karta is against dispossessing the Arabs of their land and homes, and believe that the land should be returned to them. Neturei Karta El‑Hajj Mauri’ Saalakhan is a Metro-Washington, D.C. based human rights advocate, author, lecturer and poet. His work has taken him across America into Africa, Europe, the Indian subcontinent, and the Middle East. He is the founder of the The Aafia Foundation, Inc. and presently serves as its Director of Operations. The Aafia Foundation, Inc. (TAF) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt (47-4843512) nonprofit, non-political, Muslim-based human rights organization headquartered in the United States. It is a national organization—with an international scope—dedicated to the advancement of human rights through education and advocacy. Our aim and objective: To eliminate the injustices that plague our humanity and to aid the weak, the oppressed, and the voiceless. Reinforce our common purpose: To serve our Creator by enjoining the good and forbidding the evil. To make a tax-deductible donation, please visit the TAF website. TAF Website TAF Facebook