Top Rabbi Slams Journalist's Anti-Haredi Remarks as 'Primitive'

During the Sukkot holiday, Knesset members from the Degel HaTorah party, led by United Torah Judaism Chairman Yaakov Asher, visited the sukkah of Rabbi Dov Lando, a prominent Lithuanian-sector rabbi. The meeting focused on the upcoming elections, with Rabbi Lando offering his blessings. He particularly blessed Dudi Zaltz, director of the information staff and a designated Knesset member.

Knesset Member Asher shared with Rabbi Lando an incident involving a former journalist who made disparaging remarks about the Haredi public. Asher recounted that the journalist stated she would move aside when she encountered Haredim, comparing it to how he would be accused of antisemitism if he made similar remarks about the Arab sector. Rabbi Lando questioned the journalist's motivation, and Asher explained she likely could not tolerate being around Haredim.

Rabbi Lando responded sharply, suggesting she see a doctor. He also called her a liar, stating she did not actually flee from Haredim. He concluded that such speech comes from a "hateful, not just hateful, primitive hater" and that "a cultured person does not speak like this, these are uncultured people."

During the holiday, Rabbi Lando held several meetings, emphasizing that the world of Torah faces a "fateful and existential campaign." Among those who met with him for guidance on the elections were Asher, veteran MK Yitzchak Pindrus, information staff director Dudi Zaltz, communities staff director Yehuda Weissfish, designated MKs Moshe Rosenthal and David Ohana, and former MK Eliyahu Brochi. Following these meetings, the Knesset members also visited Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch.