UTJ spiritual leader meets with anti-Zionist Satmar millionaire over haredi IDF draft - report

The United Torah Judaism spiritual leader, Gerrer Admor Rabbi Yaakov Aryeh Alter, convened a meeting with Joel Landau, a millionaire affiliated with the anti-Zionist Satmar group, according to Channel 13's report. The discussion centered around the haredi (ultra-Orthodox) IDF draft and potential resolutions. Anticipating foreign intervention, anti-Zionist members proposed lodging complaints against Israel in international courts, such as the International Court of Justice.

In a segment of the meeting captured by Channel 13, Israel Gafner of Emet LeYaakov organization denounced Israel, likening it to North Korea for barring haredim from leaving the country. Gafner accused Israel of disregarding the human dignity and freedom of those dedicated to Torah study. He also claimed that a group in the U.S. was collaborating with them to compile accounts of police misconduct against haredim and forward them to relevant U.S. entities, including senators.

Joel Landau reportedly pledged a million dollars to a fund aimed at shielding yeshiva students from legal repercussions while circumventing the IDF draft. Notably, Landau had previously lauded the Gerrer Rebbe, crediting him for "bravely and heroically refusing to comply with the government's draft plan for yeshiva students." Landau also expressed strong disdain for other haredi rabbis, labeling them as individuals who "compromise to tarnish the yeshiva students of Israel and compel their sons to serve in the Zionist Moloch."

Protesting the footage, Democratic MK Naama Lazimi tweeted on X that the extremism was evident, urging others to recognize it. She described Israel's funding of this "catastrophic breakdown" as madness. MK Vladimir Beliak echoed similar sentiments, asserting that the haredi parties' legitimacy for coalition-building after the elections was nullified. He emphasized the necessity of dismantling haredi autonomy.