March 2, 2015
Thousands of Orthodox Jews will demonstrate in Manhattan this Tuesday, March 3, at 4:30 PM in front of the Israeli consulate at 800 Second Avenue, in reaction to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s visit to Washington to address Congress on the issue of U.S. policy on Iran. The demonstration has been organized by the Central Rabbinical Congress (CRC) of the USA and Canada.
“He has come without the blessings of the President, and his approach to this delicate issue has aroused indignation from people all over America,” said Rabbi Jacob Kohn, a spokesman for the CRC.
“Netanyahu claims to represent the entire Jewish people, and we fear that if we remain silent, people may believe that Jews in general approve of what he does and says. That’s why the CRC has called this demonstration: to show the world the truth, that Netanyahu and his state do not in any way represent the Jewish people.
“We are the real Israel, the Jewish people who accepted G-d’s Torah at Mount Sinai with its 613 commandments. And one of the fundamental principles of the Torah is that we must accept the exile where G-d has sent us, and not attempt to regain our own land as long as it is His wish to keep us in exile.
“The Zionist ideology contradicts authentic Judaism: they took over their land with their own power, and they threw off from themselves the yoke of the Divine commandments. Therefore, we have no connection with their state and we certainly do not support their provocative actions. Orthodox Jews living in the Holy Land are also unconnected with the State of Israel, and that is why they steadfastly refuse to serve in its army.
“The Jewish people were commanded by the prophet Jeremiah when they went into exile, ‘Seek the peace of the city to which I have exiled you.’ Jews are obligated to act humbly and respectfully toward their leaders. Certainly, provoking conflict with our President is the greatest possible violation of this commandment.”
The Central Rabbinical Congress of the USA and Canada, founded in 1955, is an umbrella organization representing over 150 Orthodox congregations.
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