Ultra-Orthodox Jews make rare visit to Gaza in show of support for Palestinians
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Ultra-Orthodox anti-Zionist Jewish men demonstrate with Palestinian and International activists during a protest calling for the end of the blockade on Gaza in Beit Hanoun, near the Erez Crossing between Gaza Strip and Israel, Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009. Hundreds of demonstrators rallied on opposite sides of a border crossing between Israel and Gaza on Thursday to protest the Israeli-Egyptian blockade of the seaside territory. Israel and Egypt imposed a strict blockade on Gaza after the Islamic militant group Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007.
(AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
Palestinian and international activists call for the end of the blockade on Gaza during a protest in Beit Hanoun, near the Erez Crossing between Gaza Strip and Israel, Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009. Hundreds of demonstrators rallied on opposite sides of a border crossing between Israel and Gaza on Thursday to protest the Israeli-Egyptian blockade of the seaside territory. Israel and Egypt imposed a strict blockade on Gaza after the Islamic militant group Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007.
(AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
Ultra-Orthodox anti-Zionist Jewish men demonstrate with Palestinian and International activists during a protest calling for the end of the blockade on Gaza in Beit Hanoun, near the Erez Crossing between Gaza Strip and Israel, Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009. Hundreds of demonstrators rallied on opposite sides of a border crossing between Israel and Gaza on Thursday to protest the Israeli-Egyptian blockade of the seaside territory. Israel and Egypt imposed a strict blockade on Gaza after the Islamic militant group Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007.
(AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip – A small group of ultra-Orthodox Jews were preparing Friday to celebrate the Jewish Sabbath in Gaza, in an unlikely show of support for Palestinians in the Hamas-run coastal territory.
Bearded and wearing black hats and coats, the four members of a tiny Jewish group vehemently opposed to Israel's existence were a rare sight in the poverty-stricken Palestinian territory.
Members of the Neturei Karta group have expressed support for the Iranian regime and for others who oppose the Jewish state, which they believe was established in violation of Jewish law. They made a similar visit to Gaza last year.
"It's crucial that the people of Gaza understand the terrible tragedy here is not in the name of Judaism," said one of the men, Rabbi Yisroel Dovid Weiss of New York City, as the four prepared to observe the Sabbath at a Gaza City hotel.
Gaza is still recovering from Israel's devastating military offensive a year ago, which was aimed at halting rocket fire from the territory. Thirteen Israelis and almost 1,400 Gazans were killed in the three-week war.
The four men are American and Canadian citizens. Israel bans its citizens from visiting the blockaded territory. Weiss and his comrades entered Gaza through a border crossing with Egypt.
Neturei Karta, Aramaic for "Guardians of the City," was founded seven decades ago in Jerusalem by Jews who opposed the drive to establish the state of Israel, believing only the Messiah could do that.
Considered marginal even among ultra-Orthodox Jews, the group's size is estimated at between a few hundred to a few thousand people.
Article: HERE
Palestinian and international activists call for the end of the blockade on Gaza during a protest in Beit Hanoun, near the Erez Crossing between Gaza Strip and Israel, Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009. Hundreds of demonstrators rallied on opposite sides of the border crossing between Israel and Gaza on Thursday to protest the Israeli-Egyptian blockade of the seaside territory. Israel and Egypt imposed a strict blockade on Gaza after the Islamic militant group Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007.
(AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
An Arab resident of Israel holds a Palestinian flag next to Israeli police officers during a march marking the anniversary of the war and calling for the end of the blockade on Gaza, at Erez Crossing between Israel and Gaza Strip, Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009. Hundreds of demonstrators rallied on opposite sides of a border crossing between Israel and Gaza on Thursday to protest the Israeli-Egyptian blockade of the seaside territory. Israel and Egypt imposed a strict blockade on Gaza after the Islamic militant group Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007.
(AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Four members of a tiny Jewish group vehemently opposed to Israel's existence makes the news? Why?
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What makes the news is not whether or not they are opposed to Israel's existence, as much as the title of the article suggests, "Ultra-Orthodox Jews make rare visit to Gaza in show of support for Palestinians." It is news-worthy that people are calling for the end to the blockade of Gaza, whether or not everyone agrees with their politics or goals. And seeing Ultra-Orthodox Jews showing support for Gazans seems rare, therefore it makes the news.
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I knew I should have explained this response. There exist a group of which these gentlemen belong to, which have not supported the very existence of Israel from the very beginning, because they do not interpret the creation of Israel as being from YHVH. Yet, they enjoy all the protection and benefits, especially never having to defend Israel. They are exempted by Israel, as other less radical Orthodox are, from public responsibility. They pull this stuff all the time. This is such a small group, and I mean so small that it makes people think, who are not familiar with Israel, Judaism or these Ultra-Orthodox that they are making a statement for a larger group of Israelis and Jews. Sorry, I should have qualified my statement. This is extreme tokenism at the very least.
In contrast, think of the most ultra conservative Christians you can, and then have them show up in a picture with heads of Al Queda speaking for you and me? Would it be truthful of just who they represented? No, and that is really my point.
Sorry Karen, I should have qualified my response with more information.
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I wasn't upset, if it seemed like it. No worries. I understand what you are saying. The article did speak about the background of this group. The men in the article are actually not citizens of Israel, but of America and Canada, so that may be why they are exempt from serving as the Israeli citizens must, in the military. I remember actress Natalie Portman was born in Israel and holds dual citizenship, but she lobbied to get out of the military service successfully. But I understand the analogy you draw between them and the ultra conservative Christians; though, if some did show up in a picture with Al Qaeda, it would be on the news!
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There are many ways and reasons to "get out" of the service in Israel. I do not fault Natalie Portman (btw, not her real name), she does not live in Israel. These men are indeed from other countries. But should something happen, they would expect Israel to extricade them and they would be, this they know. It is all for show, no substance here. They are playing a dangerous game of politics. I would imagine they have earned themselves a spot on the no fly list for Air Al.
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