Neturei

Neturei, commonly known as Neturei Karta (Guardians of the Torah), is an ultra-Orthodox Jewish movement founded in the late 1930s in Mandatory Palestine by factions within the Haredi community that rejected political Zionism. The movement emphasizes strict observance of Torah law and views Jewish exile as a divine condition that endures until the coming of the Messiah. It argues that the establishment of a Jewish state before the Messiah violates Halakha and conflicts with religious authority; therefore adherents abstain from involvement in the political life, governance, or military service of the State of Israel. They maintain that Jews should remain in diaspora communities and rely on Torah study and charitable acts to address needs.

Neturei Karta operates as a loose federation of independent synagogues and organizations; there is no single centralized leadership. Its adherents are primarily in Jerusalem and in diaspora communities, notably in the United States, the United Kingdom, and parts of Europe, where they maintain synagogues, study houses, and outreach activity aligned with their doctrine.

Reception: The movement is controversial and constitutes a minority within Orthodox Judaism. Its anti-Zionist stance is rejected by mainstream Jewish organizations and the Israeli government, and its public activities, including interfaith outreach and meetings with certain foreign leaders, have sparked criticism from other Jewish groups and observers.