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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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