Controversy has erupted in Israel following the release of video recordings featuring Dov Lando, one of the nation’s most senior ultra-Orthodox rabbis, denouncing Zionism. In the footage, the 96-year-old spiritual leader of the Lithuanian-style ultra-Orthodox community described the ideology as responsible for “disasters” befalling the Jewish people and suggested that Jewish Israelis might have been better off without establishing a state.
The remarks have triggered swift rebukes from Israeli political figures just weeks before landmark legislative elections. The voting behavior and political alignment of the ultra-Orthodox community, particularly regarding mandatory military service, are seen as pivotal issues that could determine the formation of the next government.
Profile of Dov Lando
Born in Poland and raised in the Lithuanian ultra-Orthodox tradition, Lando currently heads a yeshiva in Bnei Brak. He serves on the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah, a council providing religious guidance to the community, and acts as the spiritual leader for the Degel HaTorah party. Degel HaTorah is a component of the United Torah Judaism (UTJ) alliance, which is currently part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ruling coalition.
Details of the Comments
Israeli media recently disclosed the year-old video in which Lando harshly criticizes Zionism, military service, and secular Israelis. He claimed that Zionism has fostered hatred among Arabs and brought both physical and spiritual harm to Jews. “It is possible to live well with the Arabs without a state,” Lando stated, adding that international or Palestinian administration would have represented the ideal scenario for the Jewish population.
Lando also attacked soldiers within the Religious Zionism movement, arguing they are killed because their rabbis teach a “distorted Torah.” He further asserted that many military operations are conducted not to save lives but to preserve the “honour of the state.” Additionally, he dismissed secular Israelis as having no connection to Judaism, characterizing the state they built as one of “apostasy and heresy.}”
Political Fallout
The comments have drawn fierce condemnation from across the political spectrum. Gadi Eisenkot, leading the Yashar party and viewed as the opposition bloc’s likely prime ministerial candidate, labeled Lando’s statements “outrageous” and the very embodiment of anti-Zionism. Yair Lapid, head of the opposition in the Knesset, called the remarks “a disgrace to every Jew.”
Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who co-founded the Together alliance with Lapid, described the comments as anti-Semitic and contrary to the interests of the Israeli military. While Netanyahu has not commented on these latest revelations, he publicly criticized Lando in July when the rabbi accused the Religious Zionism movement of “incitement to murder” due to its support for drafting yeshiva students into the army.
Impact on Upcoming Elections
Analysts suggest the controversy could significantly influence the October 27 election. Opposition members are calling for the UTJ to be excluded from any future coalition, criticizing Netanyahu for maintaining ties with the group. Yair Golan, head of the Democrats party, argued that Netanyahu remains silent because he cannot form a government without Lando and his party’s support.
“Netanyahu’s political survival is more important to him than Zionism, more than equality in service, and more than the blood of our soldiers,” Golan said. However, severing ties with the UTJ carries substantial political risk for the prime minister, whose coalition is polling below the 61 seats required for a majority. Recent polls project the UTJ to secure eight parliamentary seats. According to researcher Ehab Jabareen, attacking Lando would alienate the ultra-Orthodox voters Netanyahu needs, while staying silent provides opponents with ammunition to question his commitment to Zionism and security.
Does anyone else find it contradictory that he claims Jews would fare better without a state, yet the ultra-Orthodox community relies on its protection?
I wonder if Netanyahu’s silence is purely political calculation? He needs those eight seats more than he seems to care about this outrage.
It is genuinely shocking to hear such anti-Zionist rhetoric from a senior rabbi so close to the election. The timing is incredibly insensitive.