Traditional Jews are much troubled by the increasing frequency of references to Jewry and their supposed connection to Israel in political and media rhetoric such as was heard at the recent political conventions. Politicians seem to feel that this topic is of great interest to all American Jews and that to win the Jewish popular vote they must come out in favor of the Zionist state. Focusing on this issue only serves to inflame anti-Semitism, an historically essential component to the advancement of Zionism, while endangering traditional Jews who, as a result of the public's mistaken belief that all Jews are Zionists, are wrongly and unfairly blamed for the deplorable actions of the secular state of Israel.

The relatively new concept of Zionism began only about one hundred years ago and since that time Torah-true Jewry has steadfastly opposed the Zionist ideology. This struggle is rooted in two convictions:

1. Zionism, by advocating a political and military end to the Jewish exile, denies the very essence of our Diaspora existence. We are in exile by Divine Decree and may emerge from exile solely via Divine Redemption. All human efforts to alter a metaphysical reality are doomed to end in failure and bloodshed. History has clearly borne out this teaching.

2. Zionism has not only denied our fundamental belief in Heavenly Redemption it has also created a pseudo-Judaism which views the essence of our identity to be a secular nationalism. Accordingly, Zionism and the Israeli state have consistently endeavored, via persuasion and coercion, to replace a Divine and Torah centered understanding of our people hood with an armed materialism.

Therefore, it is of the utmost urgency that Israel should not be seen as a Jewish State, rather as a Zionist State. The foundation of its existence is not Judaism but Zionist ideology and In fact endangers the welfare of Jews worldwide by linking Jews and Judaism to the actions of the Zionist State. Indeed, hatred of Jews is the very lifeblood and oxygen of the Zionist movement and their state, which are in diametric opposition to Judaism.

Jews are commanded by their religious laws and the standards of elementary civility to be loyal citizens in the country of their residence. This has been a basic norm of the Torah faith ever since the destruction of the holy Temple in Jerusalem and the exile of the Jewish People some two thousand years ago. The great biblical prophet, Jeremiah, proclaimed G-d's message to all the Diaspora: "Seek out the welfare of the city to which I have exiled you and pray for it to the Almighty, for through its welfare will you have welfare." (29:7). This has been a cornerstone of Jewish morality throughout history.

It is high time to set the record straight. Traditional Jews do not endorse the actions of the Zionist state nor do they favor political support of Israel. Traditional Jews strongly support and commend the efforts of the United States government and its dedicated administration who diligently work to prevent more calamities from occurring in the Middle East. Traditional Jews residing in America are loyal to one country -- the United States of America. Any connection of Jews to Israel only serves to fuel confusion and anti-Semitism.

Zionist Jews seek media attention amidst lurid and constant accusations of anti - Semitism against all and sundry to further their cause. Traditional Jews do not seek media or political publicity. Torah Jews desire simply to worship the Creator and live modest lives away from the glare of public hoopla. We ask our politicians and news organizations to focus on the issues of interest to all Americans of every faith and not those of a foreign realm.

This path will promote peace and tolerance and allow all of us to address the spiritual and material needs of all Americans.

For more information on the position of True Torah Jews, visit www.truetorahjews.org

Grand Rabbi & Dean - Abraham Leitner
Grand Rabbi & Dean - Mayer Weberman
Grand Rabbi & Dean - Nathan Joseph Meisels