Ultra-orthodox Jews visit Hamas
Anti-zionist ultra-orthodox Jews in front of a picture of Dome of the Rock mosque, during Gaza visit
The Neturei Karta believe Israel can only be established by the Messiah
Four members of a group of ultra-orthodox Jews opposed to the existence of Israel have visited Hamas in Gaza.
The men, clad in the traditional ultra-orthodox garb of black hats and coats and with long side-curls in their hair, met Hamas leader Ismail Haniya.
The Neturei Karta believe that a Jewish state can only be established by the Messiah and thus denounce Israel as heretic and embrace its enemies.
Mr Haniya welcomed them, saying Hamas rejects Zionist ideology, not Jews.
"We feel your suffering, we cry your cry," the Associated Press quoted Rabbi Yisroel Weiss as saying.
"It is your land, it is occupied, illegitimately and unjustly by people who stole it, kidnapped the name of Judaism and our identity."
The representatives entered Gaza, which is under a strict Israeli embargo, with a convoy of activists who travelled through Egypt.
‘Heroes’
Neturei Karta, Aramaic for "Guardians of the City" was founded some 70 years ago in Jerusalem.
Estimates of the group’s size range from a few hundred to a few thousand – some in Israel, others in the UK and US.
Members have praised Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for saying Israel should be erased from the pages of history – sometimes translated as "wiped off the map".
They have also attended a Holocaust denial conference in Tehran and held a prayer vigil for the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat as he lay on his death bed.
Read More »Ultra orthodox jews visit hamas