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Satmar Rebbe Bans Followers in Israel From Street Protests After Fatal Incidents

He cites danger to life in remarks delivered in Palm Springs following reports that two yeshiva students were killed after being struck by vehicles.

Overview

  • Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum instructed Satmar chassidim in Israel not to join street demonstrations, saying participation poses a clear risk to life.
  • He directed that the ban be disseminated across Satmar institutions in Jerusalem, Bnei Brak and Beit Shemesh and said no students may block roads.
  • The Rebbe invoked the halakhic maxim that safeguarding life overrides prohibitions and referenced rulings of the previous Satmar Rebbe, Rabbi Joel Teitelbaum.
  • Reports identified the two victims as Yosef Eisenthal and Naftali Tzvi Kramer, whose deaths after being struck by buses were cited as prompting the directive.
  • His remarks included harsh language accusing both 'Arabs' and 'Zionists' of being murderous, drawing support for the safety rationale and criticism of the rhetoric in commentary.