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Hassidic Rebbe Orders Israeli Followers to Boycott Knesset Elections

August 11, 1959
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The extremely orthodox anti-Zionist Satmar Rebbe of Brooklyn, Rabbi Joel Teitelbaum, last night instructed his Hassidic followers here not to participate in the forthcoming elections to the Knesset, Israel’s parliament. Rabbi Teitelbaum is currently visiting Israel.

Speaking in the synagogue of his Jerusalem followers, who do not recognize the secular State of Israel and are awaiting the coming of the Messiah to establish a Jewish State, Rabbi Teitelbaum disclosed that he is writing a book explaining why it is forbidden to participate in elections and other activities in the “Zionist unbelievers’ State.”

He also attacked Israel’s religious parties, particularly the ultra-orthodox Agudat Israel party and their non-Government school network, where secular subjects are taught in the “holy language.”

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