Ultra-Orthodox rabbi’s anti-Zionist remarks stir Israel election row
Summary
A senior ultra-Orthodox rabbi in Israel, Rabbi Dov Lando, said that Jews might have been better off without a Jewish state. His remarks criticized Zionism, claiming it caused hatred and suffering, and that some soldiers die because of what their rabbis teach. These statements have caused political controversy ahead of Israel’s October 27 election.Key Facts
- Rabbi Dov Lando is a 96-year-old spiritual leader of the Degel HaTorah party in Israel.
- He said Jews might have been better off living without a Jewish state, possibly under Palestinian or international rule.
- Lando criticized “Religious Zionist” soldiers, saying they die due to misleading religious teachings.
- His comments were made in a closed meeting but were re-broadcast just weeks before the Israeli election.
- The issue of ultra-Orthodox military service exemptions is a major political conflict in Israel.
- In 2024, Israel’s Supreme Court ruled that ultra-Orthodox seminary students should not be exempt from military service.
- Rabbi Lando’s party is part of the United Torah Judaism alliance, which has political influence and has supported Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government in the past.
- The rabbi said Zionism caused Arabs to hate Jews and led to both physical and spiritual harm for Jewish people.
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