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The Palestinian Issue - Questions & Answers

Neturei Karta International
Series B - Pamphlet No. 3

Q - Is it true that Neturei Karta International supports Palestinian sovereignty over all of the Holy Land?

A - Our answer is, unequivocally, yes. However, this answer requires some prior explanation. We are an anti - Zionist, Orthodox organization. Our quarrel with Zionism exists on many levels. First, by establishing a state in Palestine which is forbidden according to Jewish law, it denies the Divine punishment inherent in the Jewish people's exile and seeks to remedy what is essentially a spiritual state by this worldly means. Second, it has devoted much of its energy to the uprooting of traditional Torah faith. Third, it has committed a grievous moral evil in its treatment of the Palestinian people.

Q - What do you advocate?

A - We demand, without compromise, the peaceful dismantling of the Israeli state. As to whether or how many Jews may remain there once this process is completed, that decision is totally up to the Palestinian leaders and people.

Q - Aren't you afraid what this might result in for the Jews living in the Land?

A - Actually, we fear far more for the Jews in the present hopeless situation. After 53 years, five wars, endless terror and counter terror, innocent civilians dead on both sides, there is no solution in sight. Both the Israeli right and left have failed miserably to rectify this situation. We are offering an alternative to what is clearly a tragic experiment.

Q - But don't Jews deserve a homeland?

A - No Torah faithful Jew in the 1900 years of our people's exile believed that we should seek to reclaim the land by military means. Instead, they believed that at the end of days, when the Creator chooses to redeem all mankind then all peoples will join in the worship of Him. This will not require the subjugation or dispossession of peoples. It will be a time of universal brotherhood with its spiritual in the Holy Land. Until then the Jewish people have a particular task in exile.

Q - And what might that be?

A - To accept in faith their exile. And, by word and deed, quietly and unobtrusively, to act as moral and spiritual paragons. And, in general to attend to G-d's service via Torah study, prayer and good deeds.

Q - How do you view the Palestinian people?

A - They are the victims of the Zionist movement's moral blindness and obstinate refusal to take into account the existence of peoples other than themselves. The Palestinian people have a right to their homeland. And they have a right to financial restitution for property loss and damages inflicted upon them over the past decades.

Q - What efforts have you brought to this cause?

A - We have frequently published statements in support of Palestinian claims and in sympathy with their suffering. We have joined Palestinians in protest against the abuses that they have been subject to. We have, in general, attempted to maintain a public presence in both the Jewish and Islamic world in order that the venerable tradition of Jewish, Torah based anti - Zionism be not forgotten.

Q - What is your opinion on the peace process, Oslo accords and similar efforts?

A - Any Jewish support for the suffering Palestinian people is a step in the right direction practically and evidence of a moral conscience which every Jew should have. However, we believe that all these plans, although they may be well intentioned, are doomed to failure. Jews are forbidden to exercise political sovereignty over the Hold Land. They are called upon to seek peace with all men. The Zionist enterprise is metaphysically doomed to moral and practical failure.

Q - What should be the Jewish approach to the Islamic world?

A - Jews are called upon to deal ethically and honestly with all men. This is our task as a "kingdom of priests and a holy nation." Zionism has misled many Jews into acts of aggression against the Palestinian people. Therefore, it behooves all Jews, as best we can, to rectify this situation by seeking peace, reconciliation and dialogue when dealing with Palestinian people and all Islamic nations. This is one of the great spiritual tests confronting the Jewish people - to establish a moral relationship with their Islamic brethren.

Q - Realistically speaking, does your program have any chance of implementation?

A - First, the Creator runs the world and with Him all things are possible. Second, there is a tremendous sense of disillusionment and exhaustion among Jews world wide with the Israeli state and Zionism in general. Many realize that following Zionist principles leads to one dead end after another. They are longing for another solution. Our solution, which is simply the ancient tradition of the Torah, is appearing increasingly plausible to many and may, in the not too distant future, with the help of the Creator, carry the day until then we hope and pray that no more innocent blood be shed, be it Jewish or Arab. We yearn for the day when many will come to realize that the only real path to peace lies in the Jewish people returning to their true task in exile, the undivided service of G-d and devotion to morality, integrity and honesty.

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