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.”

{Matzav.com}