A delegation of extremist ultra-Orthodox Jews visited the Iranian Embassy in London this week, where they signed a memorial book for Iranians killed in Israeli strikes during the ongoing war.
According to the Iranian Embassy, the group “expressed sympathy with the Iranian people and strongly condemned the crimes of Netanyahu and the Zionist regime,” adding that they view the actions of the Zionist regime as separate from the Jewish religion.
The embassy claimed the group harshly criticized Israel: “The crimes of the Zionist regime are not endorsed by any religious Jew. We are shocked by the public ignorance regarding Netanyahu’s true aims. His crimes and inhumane actions are incompatible with any moral code or religion.”
As the group left the embassy, a man filming them shouted, “Why are you supporting the terrorist Iranian regime? Iranians and Jews alike should protest against the terrorist regime.” The ultra-Orthodox men ignored his calls and continued walking.
The group is believed to belong to Neturei Karta, the anti-Zionist sect of the Haredi community that staunchly opposes the existence of the State of Israel. Radical rabbis from Neturei Karta have previously visited Iran and taken part in anti-Israel demonstrations.
Over the years, Neturei Karta has maintained close ties with Palestinian movements, viewing them as allies in the struggle against Zionism and the State of Israel. As early as the 1970s, the group recognized and supported the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and even participated in Palestinian delegations involved in negotiations with Israel.
