"We Cry for the Palestinians" | Rabbi Yisroel Dovid Weiss

Introduction to Rabbi Yisroel Dovid Weiss

Overview of Rabbi Weiss's Position

• The host welcomes Rabbi Yisroel Dovid Weiss, who is known for his support of Palestinians and opposition to the state of Israel.

• Rabbi Weiss emphasizes that his views are not personal but represent the beliefs of many religious Jews worldwide.

Covenant with God

• He explains that Judaism is centered around a covenant made with God 3,000 years ago at Mount Sinai, which involves upholding the Torah.

• The concept of establishing a Jewish state is viewed as a shift from spiritual subservience to nationalism, which he opposes.

Historical Context and Exile

Understanding Jewish Sovereignty

• Rabbi Weiss argues that even without considering the impact on Palestinians, the idea of Jewish sovereignty contradicts their covenant with God.

• He recounts how Jews were warned by God about losing their land if they did not maintain high spiritual standards.

The Decree of Exile

• For 2,000 years, Jews have lived under a divine decree of exile, meaning they should not seek sovereignty or return en masse to their homeland.

• He outlines three oaths given by God: not returning en masse, being loyal citizens in every country they reside in, and refraining from attempting to end their exile.

Future Redemption and Spirituality

Beliefs About Redemption

• Rabbi Weiss expresses hope for a future time when all humanity will recognize one God and Jews will be returned to their land through divine intervention.

• He describes this future as involving a spirit of holiness where people will return to faith in God collectively.

Differences in Messianic Beliefs

• While acknowledging differing concepts of the Messiah between Jews and Muslims, he insists that these differences do not lead to conflict or threats against Muslims.

Critique of Zionism

Nature of Zionism

• Rabbi Weiss critiques Zionism as primarily a nationalist movement initiated by non-religious Jews who distanced themselves from traditional beliefs.

• He highlights the facade used by Zionists who incorporate elements of Judaism into their narrative to gain support from various groups.

Judaism vs. Zionism: A Religious Perspective

Key Differences Between Judaism and Zionism

• The speaker emphasizes that Judaism is fundamentally about subservience to God, while Zionism represents nationalism, which they argue is forbidden in their religious context.

Global Religious Opposition to the State of Israel

• Across various communities worldwide, including Argentina, England, and New York, the religious Jewish community opposes the establishment of a state in Palestine due to its historical context and implications for local populations.

Historical Context of Inhabitants in Palestine

• The speaker notes that Palestine was inhabited primarily by Muslims, followed by Christians and Jews. They argue that creating a Jewish state required expelling Palestinians, which contradicts Torah teachings on compassion and respect for life.

Historical Persecution and Muslim Support

• The speaker recounts historical persecution faced by Jews (e.g., Crusades, Inquisition), highlighting how Muslim lands provided refuge during these times. They assert that accusations of ingrained hatred from Muslims towards Jews are unfounded.

Misrepresentation of Jewish Identity

• The speaker criticizes the portrayal of Arab and Muslim people as antagonistic towards Jews. They emphasize gratitude towards those who have historically supported them instead of perpetuating narratives of victimhood.

Religious Community's Stance on Occupation

Solidarity with Palestinians

• The religious community expresses solidarity with Palestinians suffering under occupation, feeling humiliated by how Zionists exploit their religion for political purposes.

Non-participation in State Affairs

• Members of the religious community do not participate in military service or voting within the Israeli state structure as a form of opposition to Zionism.

Historical Leadership Against a Jewish State

• Notable rabbis like Rabbi Sonnenfeld and Rabbi Dushinsky opposed the creation of a Jewish state before it was established. Their declarations against such an entity were recorded at the United Nations in 1947.

Demonstrations Against Occupation

Ongoing Resistance

• Thousands demonstrate daily against Israeli authority without carrying arms; however, they face violence from authorities while advocating for justice for both Palestinians and themselves.

Relationship with Other Jewish Groups

• The speaker discusses historical divisions within Judaism regarding reform movements but maintains collaboration with Palestinian groups during demonstrations while avoiding direct affiliations with non-Orthodox factions.

Opposition to Zionism and the Religious Perspective

Jewish Opposition to Occupation

• Many non-religious Jews oppose the occupation, driven by human rights concerns and other Jewish values. They challenge the legitimacy claimed by Zionists.

• The speaker highlights that upon turning 17, Jewish boys and girls who refuse mandatory military service in the IDF are labeled as criminals, emphasizing critical issues surrounding religious beliefs and state obligations.

Critique of Zionist Claims

• The speaker argues that Zionists refer to Israel as a "Jewish state" to shield themselves from criticism regarding their actions against Palestinians, framing opposition as anti-Semitic.

• A new law is being proposed that would classify any criticism of Zionism or Israel as anti-Semitic, which the speaker finds ludicrous given the oppression faced by religious communities.

Historical Context of Suffering

• The speaker reflects on historical suffering during events like Auschwitz, asserting that this should not justify occupying another people. They emphasize a moral obligation not to commit sins against God.

• There is a strong condemnation of using past suffering as a rationale for current injustices against Palestinians.

Religious Identity vs. Political Actions

• The speaker discusses how Jewish immigrants in Palestine initially sought relief from suffering but found themselves under Zionist control, facing criminalization for opposing it.

• They express frustration over external authorities dictating religious practices instead of respecting established religious scholars within their communities.

Call for Unity Against Oppression

• In areas with large concentrations of religious Jews (e.g., Williamsburg), there is no support for Israeli nationalism; instead, they focus on serving God without accepting occupation.

• The speaker calls for solidarity among those opposing oppression and decries accusations of anti-Semitism when speaking out against injustices committed in the name of religion.

Advocacy Efforts and Future Plans

Engaging with Global Communities

• Efforts include participating in demonstrations alongside Palestinians and educating others about their plight at universities and conferences.

Upcoming Initiatives

• An announcement about "Let the Quran Speak," which has been active for 22 years, transitioning into a new phase with Muslim Media Hub aimed at expanding outreach through various media formats.

Fundraising Goals

• To support this initiative, $300,000 needs to be raised by October 16th. The plan involves mobilizing community contributions to achieve this goal collectively.