Satmar Rally in NYC: A Troubling Display of Anti-Zionist Rhetoric
Yesterday's rally in New York City organized by the dueling Satmar factions drew thousands of participants protesting Israel’s military draft policies targeting yeshiva students.
While the stated purpose was opposition to conscription, the rhetoric on display went far beyond that. One speaker declared that the rally aimed to “make clear to the world that we are for the eradication of the Zionist regime”—a statement that raises serious concerns about the movement’s broader agenda.
A Call for Eradication—But Then What?
With nearly 8 million Jews living in Israel, the call to dismantle the state begs the question: where should they go?
The idea of Jews living under Palestinian rule is not only unrealistic but deeply troubling. No Arab nation has offered refuge to Gazans fleeing conflict, yet Satmar and the Neturei Karta demand that Jews relinquish sovereignty and live under regimes that reject their very presence.
False Claims About Yeshiva Closures
One of the rally’s central claims was that the Zionist government seeks to shut down yeshivas and kollels. This is demonstrably false.
In fact, the Israeli government approved approximately NIS 5 billion in coalition funds for 2025, much of which is earmarked for Charedi institutions. Despite political tensions, the state continues to invest heavily in Torah education.
The Satmar Ideology: Blaming Zionism for Jewish Suffering
The Satmar movement, rooted in the teachings of Rabbi Joel Teitelbaum, holds a staunchly anti-Zionist worldview. According to their foundational text Vayoel Moshe, any attempt to establish a Jewish state before the arrival of the Messiah is considered a violation of Torah law. This ideology leads some adherents to claim that all suffering inflicted upon Jews is a consequence of Zionism—a narrative that is historically inaccurate!
Dangerous Historical Analogies
The speaker invoked the Chashmonaim, suggesting that Satmar should emulate their armed resistance against foreign rule. This analogy is not only inflammatory but potentially dangerous. Are they advocating for violent confrontation with the IDF? Such rhetoric risks inciting hostility and undermines the peaceful principles that many in the Orthodox world uphold.
PR Strategy or Propaganda?
Adding to the controversy, Satmar reportedly hired a high-profile PR firm—BCC Communications, led by Mitchell Jackson—to promote their message. The decision to spend millions on a campaign that vilifies fellow Jews is deeply unsettling. It raises ethical questions about the use of public relations to amplify internal divisions within the Jewish community.
Watch below a Satmar dummy explaining to the gentile media that "Jews are not Zionists, we hate them"
When the reporter asked the dummy if the pogroms in Europe happened because of the Zionists , he answers "No, G-d wanted that to happen because of our sins"
Oy meh haya lanu. Mamish insanity. Definition of a cult.
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