Rabbi Dov Lando criticized religious Zionism and Israel’s secular public in private remarks, drawing condemnation from Israeli leaders.

Rabbi Dov Lando, a prominent figure in the Lithuanian haredi community and leader of the Slabodka Yeshiva, has drawn sharp criticism from Israeli leaders for remarks he made in a private video recorded at his home in Bnei Brak. In the video, Lando addressed a group of rabbis, expressing skepticism toward religious Zionism and questioning the role of the Israeli government and the IDF in safeguarding the nation.

Lando suggested that young haredi men who avoid the military draft should not feel guilt over the sacrifices of religious Zionists. He accused religious Zionist rabbis of teaching “twisted Torah” that leads to unnecessary loss of life. “They are being killed because we don’t learn enough,” he stated, implying that insufficient Torah study contributes to the conflict. Lando argued that those dedicated to Torah study are the true protectors of the country’s residents.

Reflecting on the founding of the Israeli state, Lando questioned the necessity of Jewish sovereignty. He expressed a hypothetical scenario in which a UN government or Arab rule might have been preferable, stating, “It would have been quite good if Arabs ruled here, it would have been the best situation.” This stance challenges the foundational principles of the state and its legitimacy in the eyes of some religious leaders.

Lando also attributed hostility from the Arab world to Zionism, asserting that Arabs have historically been unfriendly toward Jews but that Zionists have exacerbated tensions. His comments highlight a complex interplay between religious ideology and national identity, raising questions about the role of religious leaders in shaping public discourse.

In addressing the haredi community’s relationship with the state and the IDF, Lando used a metaphor to describe their current situation. “If we live among the robbers and the robbers save us, what to do?” he asked, suggesting a problematic dynamic where the haredi community is both protected and complicit in the state’s actions. He called this relationship a “great blasphemy,” implying a moral and spiritual failure.

Israeli political figures have responded with condemnation. Gadi Eisenkot of the Yashar party called Lando’s remarks “slanderous,” while Avigdor Liberman of Yisrael Beytenu criticized the haredi community’s stance on the draft, vowing to address what he described as a growing problem of draft evasion.

The controversy underscores the deep divisions within Israeli society, particularly between religious and secular communities, and the challenges of reconciling faith with national identity. As the debate continues, the implications for religious leadership and national unity remain significant.

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