Satmar Rebbe Issues Dramatic Ban on Protests After Tragic Teen Deaths
The Satmar Rebbe has banned his followers from Israeli protests following the tragic deaths of two students. Citing "murderous drivers" and a threat to life, the Rebbe issued an unprecedented order to preserve safety over activism.
In an unprecedented and emotionally charged directive, the Satmar Rebbe has issued a total ban on his Chassidim participating in protests across Israel. The decree comes in the wake of the tragic deaths of two young students, Yosef Eisental, z’l, and Naftali Tzvi Kramer, z’l, who were killed by bus drivers during recent demonstrations.
As reported by Yeshiva World News, speaking from his vacation residence in Palm Springs, California, on Motzei Shabbos, the Rebbe addressed the escalating violence on Israeli streets. He warned that the "reality on the ground" has shifted from political struggle to a tangible threat to life (Pikuach Nefesh).
“They are mamash (literally) being mafkir (abandoning) Jewish souls,” the Rebbe cried out. Labeling the aggressive drivers as "murderous," he insisted that no halakhic permission (heter) exists to place Yeshiva students or married scholars (avreichim) in such life-threatening environments.
The Rebbe’s order was explicit, targeting Satmar strongholds in Jerusalem, Bnei Brak, and Beit Shemesh. "It is forbidden for any bochur to participate in protests and block roads," the Rebbe commanded, requesting his words be published across every Satmar community globally.
Invoking the Talmudic principle from Masechtas Chullin, "Danger is more severe than a prohibition" (Chamira Sakanta Me’isura) the Rebbe clarified that while the ideological struggle remains, the physical risk has become unacceptable.
The Rebbe invoked the memory of his uncle, the late Divrei Yoel (Rabbi Yoel Teitelbaum, zt”l), the founder of the modern Satmar movement and a fierce opponent of Zionism. He noted that even his uncle, despite his sharp opposition to the state, understood the boundaries of safety. "Whoever knew my uncle... knew that despite all the sharpness, he knew it was dangerous," the Rebbe stated.
The directive marks a significant shift in the Chassidic group’s public conduct in Israel, prioritizing the physical safety of its youth over the traditional practice of street-level demonstrations.