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
External links
