Rabbi Dov Lando’s remarks on Zionism stir debate ahead of Israeli election

An archival video in which he criticises Zionism, military service and secular society was aired by Israel’s Channel 12. Opposition politicians condemned the 96-year-old spiritual leader of Degel HaTorah ahead of the October 27 parliamentary election.

In the recording, Dov Lando says Zionism brought disasters on the Jewish people and intensified Arab hostility. He also argues that Jews could have lived without a state, criticises secular Israelis and condemns the military service of religious Zionists. Israeli media reported that the footage was recorded at a private meeting at his home in Bnei Brak and aired by Channel 12 on October 5.

The comments drew sharp criticism from politicians opposed to Benjamin Netanyahu. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett called them anti-Zionist and hostile to the military. Opposition leader Yair Lapid said the rabbi’s words were a disgrace to Jews, while Gadi Eisenkot also criticised the recording.

The row comes amid wider divisions over the conscription of ultra-Orthodox men. Degel HaTorah is part of the United Torah Judaism alliance, and opposition figures have called for the alliance to be excluded from any future governing coalition. Netanyahu has not publicly commented on the latest remarks. In July, he condemned earlier comments by Lando about religious Zionists.