04.09.2026 14:21
US President Donald Trump hosted leading Hasidic rabbis at the White House before the Jewish New Year, marking a first in 47 years. The participation of leaders from the Satmar community, which opposes Zionism and the establishment of the State of Israel on religious grounds, drew sharp reactions from Trump's pro-Israel supporters.
US President Donald Trump received prominent Hasidic Jewish religious leaders from different parts of the country in the Oval Office at the White House on Thursday.
The meeting, held ahead of the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, was described by the White House as the first gathering of this level since 1979. Thus, a notable meeting took place in the Oval Office after nearly 47 years.
ANTI-ZIONIST LEADERS WERE ALSO AT THE OVAL OFFICE
The most debated part of the meeting was the list of participants. The delegation also included two important leaders of the Satmar Hasidic community, Aaron Teitelbaum and Zalman Leib Teitelbaum.
The Satmar movement is known for opposing Zionism due to its religious beliefs and rejecting the establishment of a sovereign Jewish state before the coming of the Messiah.
Therefore, the hosting of the two religious leaders by Trump at the Oval Office was met with reaction, especially among some pro-Israel Republican circles.
HARSH REACTION FROM ISRAEL SUPPORTERS
Laura Loomer, a conservative activist close to Trump, argued that the White House provided a platform for "anti-Israel rabbis," claiming that the meeting would create discomfort among Republican Jews who support Trump.
Conservative radio host Sid Rosenberg described the invitation of Aaron Teitelbaum as a "big mistake" and said that the religious leader "has no right to be next to the president."
WOULD BRING UP THE COMPULSORY MILITARY SERVICE ISSUE IN ISRAEL
Aaron Teitelbaum's statement before the White House visit also fueled the debate. Teitelbaum had announced that he planned to convey to Trump the situation of Haredi Jews facing military conscription obligations in Israel.
The long-standing opposition of some Haredi groups in Israel to military service on religious grounds has caused political and social debates in the country.
HOUSING, TAX, AND PARDON REQUESTS WERE DISCUSSED
Participants, on the other hand, stated that the meeting focused on the problems of the Haredi community in the US rather than Israeli politics.
It was reported that issues such as housing shortages faced by large families, requests for pardons and clemency for some Jewish prisoners, and the expansion of tax advantages for families with more than three children were discussed in the Oval Office meeting.
Thus, the historically significant meeting held after 47 years became the center of debate not because of its content, but due to the presence of anti-Zionist religious leaders at the White House.