By PAT MILTON
The Associated Press

MONSEY, N.Y. — The ultra-Orthodox Jewish group Neturei Karta has always been a source of tension in this heavily Jewish community north of New York City.

They routinely burn the Israeli flag. They pray for the end of the Jewish state. A few members even traveled to Iran to participate in a Holocaust-denial conference. Fellow Jews aren't shy about using words such as "traitor" and "crackpots" to describe the group.

The tension escalated Monday after the group's synagogue burned down on the eve of Passover, and a Neturei Karta leader said the fire was deliberately set to target members because of their anti-Israel views.

No one was injured late Sunday when flames gutted the group's three-story building. A senior rabbi and his family who lived on the top floor were not home. Suspicion immediately fell on Jewish critics of the group.

"They have threatened us, they have warned us, they have harassed us," said Rabbi Yisroel Dovid Weiss, referring to critics. "This fire is a desecration of God's name."

Investigators initially described the blaze as suspicious. But they found no sign of accelerants Monday in the charred building or any other indication of arson. Still, authorities had not ruled anything out.

"They are crazy, but no one should burn down their synagogue," said Holocaust survivor Shei Kormblue, as his family members were busy making matzo for Passover. "God will punish whoever needs punishment. It's not up to us."

On Monday, charred prayer books were strewn across the synagogue's front lawn. The writings of the rabbi who lived there were believed to have been destroyed.

Weiss called it a tragedy that so many holy books went up in flames. "A part of our heart and soul was taken away," he said.

The Neturei Karta has been the target of threats in the past. Members oppose Israel because they believe there should not be a Jewish state until the Messiah comes and leads them to the promised land. They do not dispute that the Holocaust took place, but they believe Israelis have used the Holocaust to gain sympathy and advantage.

According to the group, the name Neturei Karta is an Aramaic phrase that means "guardians of the city," and refers to Torah scribes and scholars.

Neturei Karta members are often seen wearing black hats, coats and long beards, and heckling marchers in annual Israel Day parades in New York. They have appeared publicly with many critics of Israel, including Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

It was the trip to Iran late last year by five members of the group that caused renewed outrage. Ahmadinejad has called the Holocaust a "myth" and said Israel should be "wiped off the face of the map." The visit also came amid fears that Iran may want to attack Israel.

Still, with a membership estimated to be only in the thousands, the Neturei Karta are generally tolerated or ignored, although they were greeted with a large protest at the Monsey synagogue upon their return from Iran.

"Ninety-five percent of us in the community don't agree with them, but we don't shun them," said David Abromevitz. "We know who they are. They send their kids to our schools and shop in our stores."

Monsey is an ultra-Orthodox community about 35 miles north of New York City. The streets are dotted with signs in both Hebrew and English, and businesses with names such as Jerusalem Auto Body and Kol Tov Pizzeria are a frequent sight.

Neturei Karta members are often confused with the Satmars, who have a huge community in the nearby village of Kiryas Joel. But there is no connection between the two groups.

Law officers and emergency workers in Monsey, N.Y., gather Monday to examine the ruins of the synagogue and headquarters of Neturei Karta, an anti-Zionist, ultra-Orthodox Jewish group