Satmar Rebbe Launches Harsh Criticism: “The War Was Started Because Netanyahu Feared His Coalition Would Collapse”

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In a pointed address delivered during a Pirkei Avos shiur this past Shabbos in the central Satmar beis medrash in Kiryas Yoel, the Satmar Rebbe, Rav Aharon Teitelbaum, issued a scathing critique of the recent war in Eretz Yisroel, attributing its outbreak to political calculations rather than genuine security threats.

Speaking to his chassidim, the Rebbe described the profound fear experienced by the Jews living in Eretz Yisroel during recent missile attacks. He reflected on the traumatic atmosphere caused by the ballistic missile barrages and claimed that the war lacked a real existential threat, saying it was triggered as a maneuver by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to preserve his government amid internal political pressure.

“This is not the first time the State of Israel has gone to war,” the Rebbe stated. “Around sixty years ago, there was the Six Day War, which bears some similarity to what we’re seeing now. But back then, the fear didn’t grip the entire country—only the border areas felt it. This time, with these ballistic missiles, the entire Land of Israel is living in constant terror.”

He described the fear in stark terms: “No one knows what’s happening when the missiles come. The buildings shake, the homes tremble. The people of Eretz Yisroel sit in shelters, frightened, hearing the blasts. ‘Outside the sword bereaves, and within, terror.’”

While acknowledging the miracles that spared many lives, the Rebbe emphasized the psychological trauma. “Although physical injuries have been relatively limited, the emotional toll on men, women, and children is impossible to measure. Our brothers are in deep distress. And even here in New York, Jews are in danger. They hear the news and rejoice at the supposed military success—but the Jews in the bunkers aren’t rejoicing.”

He compared the present situation to that of 1967: “Back in 5727 (1967), the Zionists lied to the world, saying they went to war to save the Jewish people from Egyptian threats of annihilation. But those who know the truth know the real aim was control over the Suez Canal—control over money. They fought that war for nothing.”

“The same thing is happening now,” the Rebbe asserted. “The Iranians are evil and they want to destroy Jews, but they’re not the only ones. And this time, there was no concrete danger. So what was there? The prime minister was afraid his coalition would fall. Anyone paying attention knows that the chareidi MKs were threatening to leave the coalition over the draft decree.

“He had no other option to save his government except going to war,” the Rebbe claimed. “Think carefully—this war was launched only to preserve his political power. And because of that, over twenty precious Jews have been killed, Hashem yikom damam. Because of that, the Jews of Eretz Yisroel have been living in fear and terror for more than a week.”

“This entire war is purely political,” the Rebbe charged. “And he’s willing to risk the well-being of Jews all over the world just to stay in power.”

Quoting the Mishnah in Pirkei Avos, “One who accepts upon himself the yoke of Torah is spared the yoke of worldly matters,” the Rebbe said: “Someone who lives according to Torah, who thinks through the lens of Torah, doesn’t get caught up in WhatsApp groups and other destructive things. He doesn’t listen to the news. He walks the path of Torah and sees the real reason behind this war.”

The Rebbe concluded his words with a heartfelt plea: “May Hashem protect us. Klal Yisroel is in grave danger—physically, yes, but even more so spiritually. The draft decree against bnei yeshivos has now taken full effect. A bochur or avreich will be unable to obtain a driver’s license, open a bank account, or access basic services. They are becoming like the bochurim in pre-Holocaust Europe—hidden, isolated, and denied their dignity.

“May the Ribono Shel Olam save us from the wicked—both the non-Jewish ones and the Jewish ones. May He have mercy on His people wherever they are, and protect them from all harm. And may we soon witness the complete nullification of the Zionist state without any suffering or harm to a single Jew. We don’t know how it will happen, but Hashem is all-powerful and doesn’t need our suggestions. May we merit the coming of Mashiach Tzidkeinu, speedily and in our days, amein.”

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51 COMMENTS

  1. Very noble very very noble, so it seems like the Satmar Rebbe is a Steve Bannon listener. Saying that 12 to 13 months away from a nuke is not a big deal, and had nothing to do with the reason why this war was started.
    Not so impressed

  3. With all due respect to the Grand Rabbi, but he is 100% wrong.. the war may have ultimately helped Bibi in more ways than one, but to suggest that Bibi took the country to war only to save his ‘zeit men moichel’ (aka behind) I think is a stretch to say the least…

  6. For a supposed manhig to go so off the deep end on a totally incorrect premise where he has zero knowledge about is beyond beyond. Moshiach please don’t hold this aberration against us all.

  9. Has he actually been in touch with any of us living in Israel? His description is completely wrong. Yes, there was fear – but the overall feeling is one of hope.

  10. I don’t agree with the Satmar shitah, but I respect all Yidden. That said, what in the world is pshat in these remarks? Mamish makes no sense. It’s so absurd.

  11. I always thought that the Six Day War had many open nissim. I guess Hashem did the nissim for money. Makes sense-There is a certain segment of the Jewish nation who will do anything for $$$$……Even support Governor Shmukel

    • Did you actually check the historic record to see if that “thought” was in any way remotely related reality? No, as even the Zionists now admit, the Zionists were far more militarily capable than the Arabs, so the Zionists’ military victory over the Arabs was conventional military, not miraculous.

  15. Omg! What does he know about Bibi or Israel??? Will Monroe go NetureiKarta? Oy vey. Please take down this damaging screed

  16. The grand rabbi statement makes me sad. He should share the burden with his brothers. But noooo!
    Not my leader.

  18. Wow, it is really sad to see Satmar Rebbe in sync with Bernie Sanders, AOL and Ilhan Omar. Does he have “Bibi derangement syndrome” similar to the “Trump derangement syndrome”? I hope not, but IF everything is true as this article claims, then he is as bad as 70% of American Jews who voted for Biden/Harris. No surprise that NY is so messed up.

  20. Can Matzav PLEEEEZE stop posting ludicrous conspiracy theories by a hater of the Medinah already ? We”re going into the 3 week period.

  21. Go away already . Even Netanyahu’s opposition parties all agreed that Iran needed to be bombed. Remember, this rebbe supported Obama’s money gift to Iran publicly. Look it up.

  22. you should read the book -empty wagon or hebrew two volumes das hatzionis or any books from naturna – it is all explained clearly

    • That is like saying you should read any propaganda book on any topic and it is all explained clearly. Yes, I did read much of The Empty Wagon. It caused me to became even more opposed to extreme anti-Zionism afterwards than I had been before

    • I did read The Empty Wagon. Even if I were to believe and agree with every word written there (I don’t) it would still not change what I think about how to view and deal with the CURRENT situation in Israel in the slightest . Now what?

  23. you should get a hold of the book the empty wagon or hebrew two volumes das hatzionis or any of the books published by naturna it is all clearly explained

    • Personal question for you. You are advocating reading anti-Zionist propaganda to understand this issue. OK What about you? Have you ever discussed the opposition to the views expressed in The Empty Wagon with an intelligent person who rejects that view? Have you ever heard the other side explained by intelligent people who believe that side to be correct? Did you make any effort to verify if what The Empty Wagon claims is really always true?

    • You shouldn’t have posted this. I’ll refrain from commenting on this Protocols of Elders of Zion wannabe book and the author at this time. Do a favor and be quiet. Farshtayst ?

  25. Did the Satmar Rebbe come to this political analysis after learning a blatt Gemorah or after reading a few far left newspapers? These are standard far talking points. Nowhere else. Simple question. If Netanyahu was only doing this to save his coalition then why did the opposition who despises him and would love to see the coalition fall apart all support this so strongly ?

  26. Many years ago I was an adherent of the Satmar shitta. I even used to even have a Friday night seder in V’Yoel Moshe. Back then I thought that the only reason anyone could possibly not see the brilliance of what is written there and not follow the Satmar shitta is because they haven’t learned the Satmar Rebbe’s seforim. It was for different reasons that I became an opponent of the Satmar shitta but even when I was a died in the wool follower I had hirhurim that maybe others have a more accurate view of the situation when I saw in one of the Satmar Rebbes seforim that Israel had an apparent way to avoid the six day war. I still use the Divrei Yoel Hagadah by my sedorim and would never say anything against the Satmar Rebbe. Not even the current ones. But on a haskafa level, as the Chazon Ish said “they are fighting the wrong battle” (In their relationship to the state of Israel) When you fight the wrong battle you don’t see the true picture.

    • Very weak. You would “never say anything against” and use his sefer by your sedarim, but decide to weaponize the Chazon Ish against them that “they are fighting the wrong battle” and therefore decide they “don’t see the true picture”?

      Evidently, the battle that Satmar is fighting is very much the right battle, as many people are so utterly clueless about the Torah and its views on this.

  27. The Satmar rebbe is spot on! Anyone with a bit of seichel knows Bibi will do anything to save his career even if it means starting a war that could kill and maim his own citizens. We need more rabbis like the rebbe that are willing to speak Emes.

    • Are you off your rocker ? Iran gave money and arms to Hamas, Hezbollah and to terrorists in Yehuda and Shomron for years. They threatened nuclear weapons, shouting slogans against Israel and America. What about all that ? It never happened ? Have you collectively lost your minds ? To whom are you preaching these lies? The Hamon Am isn’t stupid. You know these truths but want to deny it. That’s exactly what you people did for the last 70 years. Lie, twist facts, keep lying and revising because your shitta has been demolished.

  28. He compared the present situation to that of 1967: “Back in 5727 (1967), the Zionists lied to the world, saying they went to war to save the Jewish people from Egyptian threats of annihilation. But those who know the truth know the real aim was control over the Suez Canal—control over money. They fought that war for nothing.”

    Uh… When Israel controlled the the east bank of the Suez Canal, after the six day war it was closed to international shipping. There was no economic benefit. If anything it cost them money to maintain control. Does he mean Egypt’s Blockade of the Straits of Tiran which cut off Israel’s access to the Red Sea and Asia that was vital to Israel’s economy? What about Nasser’s and other Arab leaders , public statements about destroying Israel, military buildup in the Sinai , expulsions of all UN peacekeepers there, etc. Were they also all lying and doing that just to give the Zionists an excuse to take over the Suez Canal?

  29. Typical of Matzav to ILLEGALLY censor my comment. A bunch of spoiled brats who never worked a day in their lives. Immature babies.

  30. IlThe Rebbe was speaking to his chassidim on Shabbos. What is the toeles in publishing such statements on the internet? There is none other than to cause diviseness among yidden. Matzav, please exercise more discretion in the future.

  31. How come the Satmar Rebbe never said this before now? When Iranian nuclear weapons were still widely believed to be a major threat to Israel why didn’t he assuage everyone fears by sharing his political expertise and knowledge of Iranian nuclear (non) buildup back then?

    • I oppose what he said but give him tremendous credit for NOT saying so until now. Today the Satmar Rebbe’s political views and analysis of the Iranian nuclear weaponry has zero practical relevance . I disagree with him, you disagree with him but what difference does that make? Had he voiced his opinion earlier ,however, instead of him quoting the left wing publications, the left wing publications would be quoting him. They would be saying that if even the Satmar Rebbe who can’t possibly be accused of being apathetic about the loss of Jewish lives believes there is no Iranian nuclear threat then there certainly cannot be one. It is only the hated “Zionists” who say there is. Therefore when there was any possibility of the Iranian threat being real and able to be stopped he kept quiet.

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