New York, (November 19, 2000) - Neturei Karta International,
representing Orthodox Jews opposed to Zionism, will be counter demonstrating
against a self described "anti - Arafat rally" outside
the PLO's United Nations Mission on Park Avenue and 65th Street
on Sunday, November 19 at 1: 00 PM.
Rabbi Dovid Weiss, group spokesman asked, "At a time when
the world stands aghast at the loss of innocent life in the Holy
Land, both Jewish and Palestinian, it behooves one and all to step
beyond the cliches of popular opinion and ask themselves, why is
all this happening?"
"The old answers of hate directed at Palestinians and Chairman
Arafat, dispensed by the likes of Rabbi Avi Weiss and Rabbi Shlomo
Riskin, obviously increases animosity between our peoples. These
bigots should be shunned by all right thinking Jews."
"These haters would have you think that Jews are insensitive
to Palestinian suffering and their 52 year plight."
"They would have you think that the current cause of violence
is solely Palestinian aggression. This is a lie. The Palestinians
have been exiled and oppressed for 52 years. Promises given to them
ten years ago at Oslo with a five-year time limit have never been
implemented. Their homes have been demolished, their neighborhoods
confiscated, their youth subject to ceaseless torture, they have
paid taxes and tariffs while being denied basic rights. The list
of barbarities is endless."
The Rabbi emphasized that the goal of Neturei Karta International
should not be misunderstood. "We support peace between all
peoples. We demand in the name of the Torah that the Jewish people
always pursue peace. Yet, we realize that the root cause of all
the bloodshed in the Middle East is the philosophy of Zionism and
its result -- the existence of the state of Israel."
"Jews have always viewed their own exile as the result of
sin. They never envisioned and, indeed, were actually forbidden
by the Creator to use any this-worldly means to hasten the redemption."
The Rabbi took pains to explain "true harmony in the Middle
East will be impossible as long as the state continues to exist.
We pray for the peaceful dismantling of the state."
"Just as the Zionists claim to represent world Jewry and their
ideas reveal that they represent merely another misguided heresy,
so too do the assorted Jewish 'congresses' betray their ignorance
of Torah tradition whenever they speak. Jews are loyal citizens
who desire merely to live in peace with all peoples. The tactics
of public verbal terror are at odds with our basic beliefs."
"The tone of one's appeals are of grave consequence and can
strip even the most justifiable claims of their moral force."
The Neturei Karta and the International Union of Orthodox Jews
will be demonstrating "against the rhetoric and tactics of
so-called organized Jewry" and call upon all Jews to join them.
The protest will be held at noon outside the Bar Association of
New York at 42 West 44th Street.
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