Moshe Hirsch

Moshe Hirsch
Moshe Hirsch
Yiddish: משה הירש
Born	1927; New York City, New York, USA
Died	May 2, 2010 (aged 80); Jerusalem
Resting place	Mount of Olives
Organization	Neturei Karta
Movement	Anti-Zionism
Children	Rabbi Meir Hirsch and 2 others
Relatives	Abraham Rabinovich (cousin); Rabbi Aharon Katzenelbogen (father-in-law, deceased)

Moshe Hirsch (Yiddish: משה הירש) (born 1927—May 2, 2010) was an American–Palestinian Jewish activist. He was the leader of the anti-Zionist Neturei Karta. Hirsh served as the Minister of Religious Affairs and advisor of Jewish affairs to Yasser Arafat and later Mahmoud Abbas.^[1] Hirsch was described by Mahmoud Abbas' advisor as "the leader of the Palestinian Jews," who are part of the Palestinian state.^[2] Hirsch was the son-in-law of the now deceased Neturei Karta founder Rabbi Aharon Katzenelbogen and his first wife,^[3] and was the leader of one of the movement's factions. He was originally from New York City, and later moved to Jerusalem, though he never became an Israeli citizen.^[4]

Hirsch requested Arafat to grant the Jewish “Neturei Karta” community, as a religious minority in Palestine, the opportunity to obtain Palestinian passports once available. He expressed his refusal to carry an Israeli passport, highlighting his deep-seated belief that Zionism in Palestine represents a colonial enterprise seeking dominance over the region in partnership with Western powers, particularly the United States.^[5]

Following the death of Yasser Arafat in 2004 and Hamas's victory in the 2006 Palestinian Legislative Council elections, Moshe pledged allegiance to the new leadership. He then visited the Legislative Council's headquarters in Ramallah to demonstrate his unwavering support. This visit underscored that members of this Jewish movement identify as Palestinians living under occupation, much like the Arab population within the borders of Israel established in 1948.^[6]

Family and personal life

He was the father of three children.^[7] One of them is Rabbi Meir Hirsch.^[8] Meir who is his oldest son had taken over a lot of his fathers duties when he was reportedly suffering from Alzheimer's disease.^[9] Hirsch had one glass eye due to an injury sustained when someone threw acid in his face. According to his cousin, journalist Abraham Rabinovich, the incident had no link with Hirsch's political activities but was connected to a real estate dispute.^[10]

Death

Following Hirsch's death, shiva visitors included senior Fatah members, including Adnan al-Husayni (who brought a personal letter of consolation from Mahmoud Abbas), Hatem Abdel Kader and Bilial A-Natsha.^[11]

References

^ Schattner, Marius (November 12, 2004). "The rabbi who mourned Arafat". Middle East Online. Archived from the original on May 15, 2011. Retrieved 2007-05-21.
^ Waked, Ali (2010-05-03). "Fatah pays respects to deceased Neturei Karta rabbi". Ynetnews. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
^ Odenheimer, Micha (Spring 2006). "We Will Not Obey. We Will Not Follow". Guilt & Pleasure. 2: 71–77. Archived from the original on 2011-07-11. Retrieved 2008-08-17.
^ Arafat adviser Rabbi Moshe Hirsch dies
^ عبدالله, إعداد: عقل (2010-05-04). "‏موشيه هيرش.. حاخام مناهض للصهيونية". www.emaratalyoum.com (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-12-08.
^ "الحاخام موشيه هيرش.. ياسر عرفات عيَّنه مستشاراً له ورفض تأسيس دولة إسرائيل". قناه السومرية العراقية (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-12-08.
^ The Independent Rabbi Moshe Hirsch: Ultra-Orthodox Jewish leader who became an adviser to Yasser Arafat
^ Arutz Sheva Neturei Karta Rabbi Dead at 86
^ Guilt & Pleasure Issue 2 - Spring 2006 - The Fight Issue Archived 2011-07-11 at the Wayback Machine
^ Rabinovich, Abraham (2010-06-04). "My cousin Moish: Identities of the late Rabbi Moshe Hirsch". Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2010-06-23.
^ Nachtigel, Yosi (2010-05-05). בלתי-נתפס: בכירי פת"ח במאה-שערים. צפו בוידאו ותמונות (in Hebrew). Kikar Shabbat. Retrieved 2010-05-05.

External links

Neturei Karta International

This biographical article about an Israeli rabbi is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

[MEO-1] Schattner, Marius (November 12, 2004). "The rabbi who mourned Arafat". Middle East Online. Archived from the original on May 15, 2011. Retrieved 2007-05-21.

[2] Waked, Ali (2010-05-03). "Fatah pays respects to deceased Neturei Karta rabbi". Ynetnews. Retrieved 2023-11-22.

[odenheimer-3] Odenheimer, Micha (Spring 2006). "We Will Not Obey. We Will Not Follow". Guilt & Pleasure. 2: 71–77. Archived from the original on 2011-07-11. Retrieved 2008-08-17.

[4] Arafat adviser Rabbi Moshe Hirsch dies

[5] عبدالله, إعداد: عقل (2010-05-04). "‏موشيه هيرش.. حاخام مناهض للصهيونية". www.emaratalyoum.com (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-12-08.

[6] "الحاخام موشيه هيرش.. ياسر عرفات عيَّنه مستشاراً له ورفض تأسيس دولة إسرائيل". قناه السومرية العراقية (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-12-08.

[7] The Independent Rabbi Moshe Hirsch: Ultra-Orthodox Jewish leader who became an adviser to Yasser Arafat

[8] Arutz Sheva Neturei Karta Rabbi Dead at 86

[9] Guilt & Pleasure Issue 2 - Spring 2006 - The Fight Issue Archived 2011-07-11 at the Wayback Machine

[10] Rabinovich, Abraham (2010-06-04). "My cousin Moish: Identities of the late Rabbi Moshe Hirsch". Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2010-06-23.

[11] Nachtigel, Yosi (2010-05-05). בלתי-נתפס: בכירי פת"ח במאה-שערים. צפו בוידאו ותמונות (in Hebrew). Kikar Shabbat. Retrieved 2010-05-05.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]