In the neighborhood of Meah She’arim, stronghold of the vehemently anti-Zionist sect of Neturei Karta, Israel’s Independence Day is traditionally kept as the inverse of the country’s national celebrations.
Many ads of all sizes have been posted around the neighborhood in recent days, in preparation for the anti-holiday. Nearly all of them are calling for prayer vigils and fasting on “The day the State of Israel and Zionism came into being.”
The website BeHadrei Haredim cites an ad signed by Neturei Karta, that says: “It has been sixty-four years of extreme taunts and reviling. Every day they taunt and revile at the heavens, crying ‘Who is there for me in Heaven.’ Even today, their desire is burning in their heart as they’re about to celebrate their day of independence, and raise their national flag to commemorate their festival, to immortalize their Zionist idol.”
The organizers are planning public mourning events on Thursday, in 18 synagogues across the country and around the world, in Jerusalem, Beit Shemesh, Bnei Brak, Monsey, and Williamsburg.
The Jerusalem procession will meet at Mea Shearim square, and then march through the streets of the city “clad in sackcloth.”