Trump hosts anti-Zionist Hasidic rabbis at White House
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
US President Donald Trump hosted a delegation of prominent Hasidic and ultra-Orthodox Jewish grand rabbis, including anti-Zionist Satmar leaders, at the White House ahead of Rosh Hashanah.
The closed-door Oval Office meeting brought together senior religious leaders from communities across New York and New Jersey, including Satmar Grand Rabbis Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum of Kiryas Joel and Rabbi Zalman Leib Teitelbaum of Williamsburg, the Bobover Rebbe, the Vizhnitz Monsey Rebbe and Rabbi Malkiel Kotler, head of Beth Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, New Jersey.
The presence of the Satmar leaders drew particular attention given the movement's longstanding theological opposition to political Zionism and its rejection of the secular state model of 'Israel'.
According to Jewish Voice, a writer for a Zionist magazine attempted to stop Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum at the White House entrance as he sought to deliver a letter expressing opposition to Zionism. The rabbi reportedly refused and later delivered the letter directly to Trump.
BREAKING NEWS: A writer for a Zionist magazine tried to stop the Grand Rabbi of Satmar at the entrance to the White House from delivering a letter expressing the opposition of anti-Zionist Jews to Zionism. The Rabbi refused to listen and ultimately delivered the powerful… pic.twitter.com/23BIEaL7Vd
— Jewish Voice (@jewishvoicelive) September 3, 2026
Vice President JD Vance and other administration officials briefly joined the delegation before the rabbis entered the Oval Office.
The gathering was also notable for the rare appearance of the two Satmar Grand Rabbis at the same event. The brothers, who lead separate branches of the movement and have been estranged for decades following a succession dispute, reportedly greeted one another and shook hands during the meeting.
The rabbis also recited traditional blessings offered when meeting a head of state and expressed appreciation for the administration's outreach.
What did the letter say?
Jewish Voice reported that the private meeting lasted about eight minutes, during which Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum handed Trump a letter stating that Zionists and 'Israeli' leaders, including Netanyahu, do not speak on behalf of the Jewish people.
The letter reportedly urged the administration to treat Hasidic Jews as Jewish Americans rather than as representatives of 'Israel' or Zionism.
JUST RELEASED: A Heartfelt Quote from Grand Rabbi Teitelbaum’s Letter to President Trump:
— Jewish Voice (@jewishvoicelive) September 3, 2026
“Mr. President, we respectfully ask that when your Administration deals with us, you see and treat us simply as Jewish Americans—not as Zionist representatives, constituents, or… pic.twitter.com/PvrhYimEUd
According to the outlet, Trump welcomed the message and said he would discuss it further with his staff.
Education, military draft concerns
The meeting also provided an opportunity for the religious leaders to raise policy issues affecting Orthodox Jewish communities.
Among the concerns discussed was the independence of private religious schools, particularly amid ongoing debates in New York over curriculum and educational oversight.
The delegation also raised concerns over legal and political disputes in 'Israel' regarding the potential military conscription of full-time yeshiva students, an issue that has become a major point of contention within ultra-Orthodox communities.
Representatives said the meeting focused primarily on religious freedom, education and community concerns rather than broader geopolitical positions.
Hasidic communities in New York and New Jersey have also emerged as an important voting bloc for Trump, with some heavily Orthodox districts recording overwhelming support for him in recent elections.
No formal joint statement was issued by the White House or the delegation following the meeting. Participants described the discussions as warm and productive.
