Rabbi Dov Lando criticizes Zionism and military service

Newly released footage broadcast by Israel’s Channel 12 features Rabbi Dov Lando, the 96-year-old head of the Slabodka Yeshiva, criticizing Zionism and the establishment of the State of Israel. In the recording, which was made approximately 18 months ago, Lando suggested that Jews might have lived well under Arab rule and that the Zionist movement worsened relations between Jews and Arabs by inciting hostility.

Lando, a leading authority in the Lithuanian Haredi community and a key figure for the Degel HaTorah faction, argued that the spiritual protection of the Jewish people comes from Torah study rather than military strength. He claimed that the deaths of soldiers are linked to insufficient Torah learning and a distorted understanding of the Torah’s approach to warfare, accusing some of serving the glory of the state rather than true spiritual purposes.

As a prominent leader within the United Torah Judaism political alliance, Lando’s remarks touch upon sensitive ideological divides between the Haredi and Religious Zionist communities, particularly regarding military service and the legitimacy of the state.