Jewish Rabbi Weiss: "We know he (Ahmadinejad) is not an enemy to the Jews, he
has a Jewish community in his country that he honors, defends and supports."
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3602030,00.html
Neturei Karta: Ahmadinejad wants peace
Fringe ultra-Orthodox anti-Zionist group meets with Iranian president following
his controversial UN speech. Delegation's Rabbi Weiss: "We know he is not an
enemy to the Jews, he has a Jewish community in his country that he honors,
defends and supports."
After his virulently an anti-Zionist speech at the United Nations General
Assembly on Tuesday drew reactions the world over, a group of Neturei Karta
rabbis met in Manhattan on Wednesday with Iranian President Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad.
Neturei Karta is a fringe ultra-Orthodox group formally created in 1935, that
opposes Zionism and calls for the dismantling of the State of Israel on the
grounds that they believe Jews are forbidden to have their own state until the
coming of the Messiah.
During the meeting members of the delegation presented the Iranian president
with a $700 silver trophy as a sign of friendship.
Rabbi Yisroel David Weiss, who took part in the meeting, told Ynet the
encounter was "very successful" and was conducted in a warm and friendly
environment.
Not against Jews, against Zionists
Rabbi Weiss said the delegation thanked Ahmadinejad for his positive treatment
of Iran's Jewish community.
"We know he is not an enemy to the Jews, he has a Jewish community in his
country that he honors, defends and supports."
The rabbis added that Ahmadinejad "is not against the Jews, but against the
Zionist regime."
Ahmadinejad at meeting with Neturei Karta in New York (Reuters)
The difference between Zionism and Judaism was discussed in the meeting as
well.
Explaining the common thread between Neturei Karta and Ahmadinejad, Rabbi Weiss
said, "The Iranian President understands the difference and understands that
not everyone bears the Zionist outlook.
"Not everyone wants to see the destruction of Judaism and participate in the
Zionist infidelity but rather solely to pray and hope for the end of the State
of Israel," he said.
According to the rabbi, the Iranian president does not deny the Jewish
Holocaust, but rather resists what he calls Zionist invasion and occupation of
the land of Israel and the suffering caused to the Palestinians. "The Zionists
use the Holocaust as an excuse for their crimes," said Weiss.
Close ties
According to him, there are also Jews who are loyal to the Torah and against
Zionism for its denial of God.
"Ahmadinejad, like us, understands the difference between Judaism and Zionism,"
claimed Rabbi Weiss who emphasized that the Iranian president is not looking
for ways to bomb Israel.
"It is the complete opposite; he wants peace and not to destroy the Jewish
nation, that's what he explained to us. He is against the difficulties
generated by the Zionist nation against the Palestinians," he said.
The Neturei Karta representative responded to The Neturei Karta representative
responded to President Shimon Peres’ comments, "Throughout the generations, God
told us that the Torah is our protection.
"Due to the Zionist leadership's denial of the Torah and diversion from its
path, the warnings written in it are being ignored. This is likely to bring the
Jewish nation to catastrophic outcomes as we see today and this is what we are
fighting against," said Rabbi Weiss.
