An ultra-Orthodox Jewish organization known as Neturei Karta continues to reject Zionism and refuses to acknowledge the legitimacy of the State of Israel. Often seen marching with the Palestinian flag, the group has maintained a defiant presence despite facing police crackdowns, death threats, and isolation from mainstream Jewish communities.
The documentary narrates the group’s history through its own accounts and critical historical perspectives, beginning with early 20th-century opposition to Zionism. Key historical moments examined include the Balfour Declaration, the assassination of Jacob Israel de Haan, and the ideological splits that occurred during the Holocaust, which ultimately contributed to the formation of the movement.
Since Israel’s establishment in 1948, Neturei Karta has occupied a marginal but persistent political space. Their activism has evolved from street demonstrations in Jerusalem and New York to deeper political ties with Palestinians. The film highlights their connections ranging from the Mea She’arim neighborhood in West Jerusalem to interactions within Yasser Arafat’s inner circle, as well as their ongoing solidarity with Gaza under blockade.
By examining these complex relationships and historical foundations, the narrative challenges conventional assumptions regarding Judaism, Zionism, and forms of resistance within the ongoing regional conflict.
I was unaware of their ties to Arafat’s circle. That context really changes how I view their current protests.
Finally, a documentary that doesn’t shy away from the long history of anti-Zionist Jewish thought.