Anti-Zionist Jews?

Most people, including myself, initially associate Judaism with a love and support for the State of Israel. However, there is an extreme sect of Orthodox Judaism known as the Neturei-Karta who do not believe in Zionism. When I first learned that these Jews were against the State of Israel, I wondered how they could consider themselves Jews. However, as I have now learned the reasoning for why they are opposed to the existence of the state, and are anti-Zionist, I realize their beliefs fall very much inline with my own.
I had my first encounter with them when my friends chose to explore that neighborhood in Jerusalem one Shabbat. I am now further exploring why Jews who primarily live within the State of Israel are opposed to its existence.
The group was founded in Jerusalem, Palestine in 1938. The group was given the name Neturei-Karta, meaning “Guardians of the City” in Aramaic. They are believed to be the guardians of the city from an ancient story in which a rabbi sent two people on a pastoral tour of inspection. In one town, these people asked to the see the guardians of the city and were led to the city guard. The people responded that this city guard was the city’s destroyer, which prompted the citizens to ask who the guardians were. The rabbis answered,” The scribes and the scholars,” referring them to Psalms Chapter 127.
This group, similarly to Orthodox Judaism, believes the Torah is the word of G-d and must be followed literally. The group is not opposed to Zionism or the State of Israel because it is very secular, but rather because they feel it goes against fundamental beliefs and values in the Jewish religion. Neturei-Karta believes that Jews do not have the right to a State until the messiah. While this may seem a bit extreme to some, their believes in why are very altruistic. The Torah teaches to be kind to all, and also does not believe in the use of violence unless in defense. These are values similar to the golden rule that all people should live by. Neturei-Karta Jews therefore interpret the existence of the State of Israel as going against the Torah in the sense that the Zionist movement took the land from the Palestinians.


Source:
2003 “What is the Neturei-Karta?” Electronic Document,
http://www.nkuk.org/, accessed April 17.