Rabbi Yisroel David Weiss is a New York-based rabbi and the official spokesperson for the global Haredi organization Neturei Karta. He is globally recognized for his distinctive traditional black garb and his presence at major anti-Zionist rallies worldwide.
Rabbi Weiss has dedicated his career to articulating the theological argument that “Judaism and Zionism are diametrically opposed” to a global audience. He has represented his community at United Nations conferences, lectured at various universities, and met with international political figures, including leaders of the Iranian government and the Palestinian Authority. While highly controversial in mainstream Jewish politics, he has successfully maintained a presence in international discourse: the existence of a fundamentalist Jewish position that entirely rejects the modern State of Israel.
Weiss’s pro-Palestinian stance is thorough and absolute. Based on the “Three Oaths” found in the Talmud, he believes that establishing a sovereign state before the Messiah’s arrival is a grave sacrilege. He insists that every inch of Palestinian land should be returned to its original inhabitants and publicly refers to the Israeli flag as a “symbol of betrayal.” His most famous assertion is: “As true Torah Jews, our hearts bleed for the Palestinian people. Zionism has stolen our name, stolen our religion, and stolen your land. We pray for the peaceful dismantling of the State of Israel, for only then can Jews and Muslims live in peace again, as we did for centuries.”