Satmar Hassidic Group Launches $1 Million Campaign to Discourage Voting

The Satmar Hassidic group has officially launched a campaign against voting in the upcoming Knesset elections, allocating millions of dollars to discourage participation. While other ultra-Orthodox parties are actively campaigning for votes, Satmar is distributing grants to thousands of individuals and expanding its reach to new communities that have pledged not to vote.

The campaign is funded by the "Shekel HaTahor" (Pure Shekel) fund, established 13 years ago by the Satmar Rebbe during a visit to Israel. The fund's primary goal is to provide financial support to religious institutions and needy families that refuse government funding. This year's initiative marks a significant expansion, including additional ultra-Orthodox communities committed to abstaining from the elections.

The Satmar Rebbe reportedly reviewed the distribution plans and gave his blessing to the initiative after receiving a comprehensive briefing on the eve of Yom Kippur. The funding for this extensive operation comes from wealthy donors and benefactors within the Satmar community in the United States and worldwide, operating under the direct guidance of the Rebbe.

Rabbi Shmuel Teitelbaum, the Rebbe's aide, is responsible for managing the fundraising and distribution efforts. Prominent donors include the Mendelovitch and Kraus families, as well as Yoeli Landau, Lipa Friedman, and Shlomo Peder, who are channeling substantial capital into the campaign.