VICE embeds with the London branch of the Neturei Karta, an extremist group of controversial Ultra Orthodox Jews who campaign against Zionism and for the immediate dismantling of the state of Israel.
Because of their unusual views, and support of people like ex-Iranian president Ahmadinejad and groups like the Hungarian far right Jobbik party, other Jewish people often label them as extremists.
Reporter Milène Larsson goes behind the closed doors of this secretive community to understand why this Jewish group's anti-Israel sentiment has led them to join Palestinians protesting Israeli occupation and burn Israeli flags.
Certain ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) groups oppose Israel's Zionist government primarily on religious grounds, believing that Jewish sovereignty over the Holy Land must only be established by divine intervention via the Messiah, not by human political action. They view Zionism as a secular heresy and a violation of a religious oath requiring peaceful coexistence with other nations during exile.
Key reasons for opposition:
- Theological Objection: Groups like [Neturei Karta] and [Satmar Hasidism] argue that building a state via political means is a sin and an attempt to "force the end" of exile before the designated time.
- Rejection of Secularism: They oppose the secular nature of Israel's foundation and government, arguing it ignores divine authority and Torah law.
- Military Service/Draft Protest: Many Haredi fear army service will force secularization and diminish strict Torah study, leading to protests against government attempts to draft them.
- Independence: Strict sects, such as [Eda Haredit], refuse to recognize the state's legitimacy, declining to use government services, IDs, or money.
It is important to note that many other ultra-Orthodox parties, such as Agudat Israel and Degel Hatorah, work within the Israeli government to secure funding for their communities, despite not identifying with the ideological tenets of Zionism.
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