Top Rabbi Landau Sparks Outrage With Anti-Zionist, Anti-Israel Remarks

Prominent Haredi leader Rabbi Dov Landau, 96, has ignited a political firestorm in Israel with recent statements attacking religious Zionism and soldiers, suggesting their deaths are due to a "distorted Torah." Landau, a key figure in the Lithuanian Haredi community and influential within the United Torah Judaism and Shas parties, also stated that the establishment of Israel was unnecessary and that UN or Arab rule would have been preferable. These remarks were reportedly made during a private gathering of rabbis at his home in Bnei Brak.

Landau criticized religious Zionist youths who combine Torah study with military service, particularly those who have fallen in combat. He claimed they are killed because "our rabbis teach them a distorted Torah" and that some military operations are conducted "for the dignity of the state" rather than for rescue. He asserted that Torah study protects the population and questioned why Arabs had not "invaded the entire land" if not for the Torah. He also described the relationship between the Haredi community and the state as living "among thieves" who are saving them.

In the most controversial part of his remarks, Landau questioned the core of the Zionist project, stating, "I don't know what would have happened if the state hadn't been established in the first place, and they established UN rule here; the situation would have been excellent." He added, "One can live without a state, and live well with the Arabs," suggesting Arab rule would have been the "best situation." Landau blamed the Zionist movement for deepening Arab animosity towards Jews, claiming it brought "material disasters, not just spiritual ones, upon the people of Israel," and that Arabs "did not hate us to this degree throughout history."

Gadi Eisenkot called them "pure anti-Zionism," while Naftali Bennett labeled them "shameful and scandalous," deeming them "anti-Semitic, anti-Zionist, and anti-army." Yair Lapid stated that anyone who "insults the sacrifices of the army's fighters and its religious Zionist heroes cannot be part of any government in Israel." Avigdor Lieberman criticized Netanyahu's reliance on Haredi parties with such views, vowing to end the "rule of draft dodgers."

This is not the first time Landau has made controversial statements.