Who is Dov Lando, the Israeli rabbi criticising Zionism? | Israel Election 2026 News
Controversial Remarks by Prominent Rabbi Ignite Political Debate Ahead of Israeli Elections
One of Israel’s leading ultra-Orthodox rabbis, Dov Lando, has caused a stir following the emergence of comments in which he criticized Zionism. A video released earlier this week features the 96-year-old rabbi expressing views that the ideology of Zionism has led to suffering among the Jewish people and suggesting that Jewish Israelis might have fared better without a state.
Lando’s remarks come as Israel approaches landmark legislative elections, adding complexity to ongoing debates about the role of the ultra-Orthodox community, particularly regarding military service. The political alignment of ultra-Orthodox parties is expected to play a crucial role in the formation of the next government.
Dov Lando, who leads Israel’s Lithuanian ultra-Orthodox community, is the head of a yeshiva in Bnei Brak. He is also a member of Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah, a council of senior ultra-Orthodox rabbis providing spiritual guidance, and serves as the spiritual leader of the Degel HaTorah party, which is part of the United Torah Judaism (UTJ) alliance in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government.
In the recently circulated video, Lando harshly criticizes Zionism, military service, and secular Israelis. He argues that Zionism has incited hatred from Arab communities and brought about both physical and spiritual disasters for Jews. “It is possible to live well with the Arabs without a state,” he stated, asserting that international or Palestinian governance would have been preferable for Jews.
Lando also directed criticism at soldiers associated with Religious Zionism, alleging that they are misled by their leaders and suggesting that military operations are conducted for the state’s honor rather than in the interest of saving lives. He further characterized secular Israelis as lacking any connection to Judaism, accusing them of fostering a “state of apostasy and heresy.”
Responses from Israeli politicians have been swift and severe. Leaders from various opposition factions have denounced Lando’s comments. Gadi Eisenkot, head of the Yashar party, described the remarks as “the embodiment of anti-Zionism,” while Yair Lapid, the opposition leader in the Knesset, called them “a disgrace to every Jew.” Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett labeled Lando’s statements as “anti-Semitic, anti-Zionist,” highlighting his opposition to the Israeli military.
Though Netanyahu has not yet commented on Lando’s latest remarks, he previously condemned the rabbi for accusing the Religious Zionism movement of “incitement to murder” over its support for drafting religious seminary students into the military.
The implications of Lando’s comments on the upcoming elections remain uncertain. Members of the opposition have called for the UTJ, which includes Lando’s party, to be excluded from any future government, criticizing Netanyahu for maintaining ties with the group. Yair Golan, the head of the Democrats party, remarked that Netanyahu’s silence indicates his reliance on Lando’s support for his governance.
Should Netanyahu choose to distance himself from the UTJ, the political repercussions could be significant, especially as his coalition grapples with an election battle scheduled for October 27. Current projections indicate that the UTJ may secure eight seats in parliament. Ehab Jabareen, an analyst of Israeli affairs, noted that any strong opposition from Netanyahu towards Lando could alienate ultra-Orthodox voters essential for forming a government, while silence may empower his political adversaries.
