What is the Charedi view on the minority of Neturei Karta that visits Iran and cozies up to enemies of Israel?
To be clear from the outset: the overwhelming majority of the Charedi world is sickened and appalled by the behavior of the fringe group known as Neturei Karta who have visited Iran, embraced Holocaust deniers, and spoken on platforms alongside enemies of the Jewish people.
Their actions are not just wrong—they are a severe chilul Hashem, a desecration of G-d’s Name, and a profound betrayal of Jewish dignity and sensitivity.
1. They Do Not Represent Torah Judaism
It is important to understand: Neturei Karta is a tiny, radical sect, estimated in the low thousands globally, and they are entirely rejected by virtually all Charedi Rabbanim and Gedolim—Litvish, Chassidish, and Sephardi alike.
Rav Aharon Feldman shlit”a (Rosh Yeshiva, Ner Yisroel) once stated:
“They are not part of the Torah community. They are a disgrace to Torah. No Gadol or Posek in the world agrees with what they are doing.”
Rav Moshe Shmuel Shapiro zt”l also said sharply about them:
“Their hands are defiled. They have left the camp of Klal Yisrael.”
2. The Sin of Embracing Enemies of the Jewish People
The Torah warns us sternly not to show love or loyalty to those who seek to destroy us:
"לֹא תִשְׁכֹּח אֵת אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה לְךָ עֲמָלֵק"
“Do not forget what Amalek did to you.”
— Devarim 25:19¹
"הֲלֹא מְשַׂנְאֶיךָ ה' אֶשְׂנָא וּבְתְקוֹמְמֶיךָ אֶתְקוֹטָט."
“Hashem, do I not hate those who hate You, and fight with those who rise against You?”
— Tehillim 139:21²
When Neturei Karta activists visit Iran, a regime that funds terror, calls for the destruction of Israel, and denies the Holocaust, and then appear in public hugging its leaders—they cross every red line of Torah, decency, and loyalty to our people.
This is not ideological opposition to Zionism. This is outright betrayal of Am Yisrael.
3. Even the Eidah Chareidis Publicly Distanced Themselves
It is often assumed that Neturei Karta is part of the Eidah Chareidis in Yerushalayim. This is a misunderstanding. In fact, when several members of Neturei Karta attended the 2006 Holocaust denial conference in Tehran, the Eidah Chareidis issued a strong public condemnation:
“What these people did is not our way, not our beliefs, and not our hashkafah. We strongly protest and condemn their actions.”
This is nearly unheard of in the Charedi world—public condemnations are rare—which demonstrates just how extreme and disturbing this behavior was, even to anti-Zionist groups.
4. Gedolei Yisrael Were Heartbroken and Enraged
Rebbe Yisroel Hager shlit”a (Vizhnitz Rebbe) reportedly wept when he heard about the Neturei Karta’s Iran trip. He said:
“This is a stain on all of us. They are destroying the Torah’s honor.”
Rav Chaim Kanievsky zt”l was asked by a visitor if it’s permitted to join protests with Neturei Karta. He replied:
“If they are there, don’t go. It’s a chilul Hashem.”
The Satmar Rebbe, Rav Aharon Teitelbaum shlit”a—even while opposing the Zionist government—clearly stated that allying with resha’im is forbidden. He never tolerated what Neturei Karta did.
5. Their Ideology Has Become Twisted
While there are legitimate hashkafic arguments about Zionism within Torah sources, Neturei Karta has warped anti-Zionism into a fanatical obsession—so much so that they align themselves with murderers and haters of Jews simply to make a political point.
This has nothing to do with Torah. It is a mental, emotional, and spiritual distortion.
As Rav Shmuel Wosner zt”l said:
“They are off the derech. They no longer think with Torah—they think with hatred.”
6. Most Charedim Are Ashamed and Sickened
When these incidents make headlines, Charedi Jews feel embarrassed, furious, and heartbroken. Because the rest of the world does not differentiate between a sincere ben Torah and a reckless radical.
But let it be stated clearly:
Neturei Karta does not speak for Charedim. They are not our representatives. They are not our leaders. They are not our hashkafah.
Conclusion: Torah Is Not Treason
To disagree with secular Zionism is not a crime. Many Torah Jews do, and they have serious sources and values backing their views. But to ally with those who openly seek to murder Jews is the ultimate betrayal of Torah, of Klal Yisrael, and of Hashem Himself.
The Charedi response is not hugs for Holocaust deniers—but tears, tefillos, and teshuvah for Klal Yisrael. And an eternal stand for Torah truth.
Sources
- Devarim 25:19 – Remembering Amalek
- Tehillim 139:21 – Hatred of those who hate Hashem
- Public statement by Eidah Chareidis (2006)
- Statements attributed to Rav Chaim Kanievsky, Rav Wosner, Rebbe Yisroel Hager (Vizhnitz), Satmar Rebbe, and others (documented in Hebrew press and testimony from gabbaim)