Rabbi Moshe Hirsch was an American-born Jewish rabbi and the long-time leader of the Jerusalem branch of Neturei Karta. He is internationally famous for his legendary role as Yasser Arafat’s “Advisor on Jewish Affairs.”
Rabbi Hirsch served as a rare bridge between Haredi Judaism and the Palestinian national movement. He established a solid community base in Jerusalem’s Mea Shearim and consistently refused any form of jurisdiction from the Israeli government. His most notable achievement was his symbolic and practical role within the Palestinian Authority (PA), which was seen at the time as a landmark event shattering the myth of inherent enmity between Jews and Palestinians. Although his political stance was highly controversial within mainstream Jewish circles, his decades of diplomatic effort demonstrated a model of cooperation based on shared opposition to Zionism.
Hirsch’s pro-Palestinian stance was absolute; he referred to Arafat as a “dear friend” and publicly labeled the Israeli government an “illegal regime.” Based on Haredi theology, he advocated for a single sovereign state led by Palestinians where Jews would live as peaceful residents. He once stated: “Zionists are not only the enemies of the Palestinians but also the enemies of authentic Judaism. We recognize Palestine’s full sovereignty over this land, for such is the will of God.” This stance was most visually embodied by his presence at Palestinian cabinet meetings in Ramallah.