Stamford Hill Hatzola chiefs criticise visit of ambassador Tzipi Hotovely

Leaders of Stamford Hill’s Jewish medical emergency service Hatzola, have criticised a recent visit to the area made by the Israeli Ambassador Tzipi Hotovely.

In a statement in Hebrew which was circulated last week Rabbi Shalom Weiss, rabbi of Hatzola, and Rabbi Eliezer Benedikt claimed the envoy’s stop at Hatzola had gone ahead without the permission of its leaders.

The statement stressed the ambassador’s “ways and ideas are not our own.”

It added:”We hereby declare this visit was done against our views and against the Torah and without the knowledge of the Hatzola leadership.”

Satmar factions have remained opposed to Zionism, arguing that the restoration of a Jewish state must await the Messiah

Hotovely had tweeted after last month’s visit: “It was wonderful to spend the day with the Charedi community in Stamford… I was delighted to meet with communal leaders, get a glimpse into their institutions and further the community’s connection to Israel.”