Jan 18, 2024
Washington (Quds News Network)- Donald Trump, the Us president-elect, has invited Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum, the anti-Zionist leader of the Satmar Hasidic sect, to the White House. Trump’s campaign announced on Friday that the meeting recognizes Teitelbaum’s support during the election.
This will be the first time a sitting US president hosts a Hasidic leader at the White House. Trump’s team described Rabbi Teitelbaum’s blessing as a “significant factor” in his victory. They added that Trump seeks a special blessing ahead of his presidency.
The Satmar community is widely known for its strong opposition to Zionism and the occupation State of Israel. Since October 7, the sect has joined pro-Palestinian and anti-genocide demonstrations in New York City.
For decades, the Satmar sect has rejected Zionism, viewing it as a rebellion against divine will. They believe that the establishment of a Jewish state can only occur under the Messiah’s guidance, not through political efforts.
Rabbi Joel Teitelbaum, the sect’s founder, was an outspoken critic of Zionism. He opposed political Zionist movements before the creation of Israel. After World War II, the Satmar community maintained its stance, rejecting the new state and its promises to protect global Jewry.
In 2001, the Rabbinical Congress for the United States and Canada published a statement in The New York Times about the reasons behind their opposition of the occupation state. The Satmar sect also organizes protests against Israel, such as one held outside its consulate in New York in 2002.
The Satmar sect extends its influence by supporting non-Zionist Jewish communities in Israel. In 2019, they donated $5 million to maintain the independence of ultra-Orthodox educational and religious institutions from the Israeli government.
In 2018, Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum urged his followers to resist admiration for Israel’s military and achievements. He declared, “We have nothing to do with Zionism. We have nothing to do with the State of Israel. The head of the pollution is the State of Israel. We will continue G-d’s fight against Zionism.
The Hasidic community votes as a unified bloc, making it a valuable electoral asset. In past elections, the community leaned Democratic. However, since 2016, the Satmar sect has shifted toward the Republican Party due to ideological differences with Democrats.
The community’s influence extends beyond voting. Candidates seek their endorsement, access to religious schools, and support through internal media. During campaigns, messages in Yiddish call on the community to vote for preferred candidates.
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