Satmar Rebbe Defends Adams: 'Provocation – Marking Him as Antisemitic'

The Satmar Rebbe of Williamsburg, Rabbi Yekutiel Yehuda Teitelbaum, sharply criticized the attacks on New York City Mayor Eric Adams, calling them "provocation against the nations." Speaking at the central tish in Kiryas Joel, he said that attacking the mayor and labeling him antisemitic intensifies the provocation. Satmar, known for its anti-Zionism, has hosted Adams before, and parts of the community supported him in the election.

The Satmar Rebbe of Williamsburg, Rabbi Yekutiel Yehuda (Zalman Leib) Teitelbaum, sharply criticized the criticism against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, calling it "provocation against the nations." He spoke at the central tish in Kiryas Joel, Monroe, on the anniversary of the death of the founder of the Hasidic dynasty in the US, Rabbi Joel Teitelbaum. The Rebbe said, "Recently we see here in New York a terrible provocation against the nations by Haredi Jews, a provocation against the mayor of New York," and added, "By attacking the mayor and marking him as antisemitic, they intensify the provocation against the nations." Satmar, the largest Hasidic sect, was founded in Transylvania and moved to Williamsburg after the Holocaust. It is considered the standard-bearer of anti-Zionism in the Haredi world, viewing it as "provocation against the nations." Since the death of Rebbe Moshe Teitelbaum, the sect is split between his two sons: Aaron, based in Kiryas Joel, and Yekutiel Yehuda, based in Williamsburg. In New York, the sect is one of the largest and most organized voting blocs. Satmar's attitude toward Adams differed from most of the Jewish establishment during the campaign: the Williamsburg faction declared it would not support any candidate, and in that statement condemned the "fear campaign" against Adams. In December, after his election, Adams attended the rescue day events of both factions and met with both Rebbes.