Rabbi Dov Lando Condemns Religious Zionist Soldiers as Murderers in Harsh Critique

Rabbi Dov Lando, a leading figure in the Lithuanian ultra-Orthodox community, sharply criticized the Religious Zionist community and religious soldiers serving in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) during a meeting with heads of the Mir Yeshiva on Sunday. He stated that their enlistment in the army constitutes aiding murder, condemning those who support military service as inciting killing. Rabbi Lando specifically targeted the Religious Zionist soldiers wearing knitted kippot, questioning the morality of killing in the name of state honor and calling it outright murder.

During the meeting, Rabbi Eliezer Yehuda Finkel, rosh yeshiva of Mir, visited Rabbi Lando’s home in Bnei Brak to express gratitude for his dedication to Torah study and the yeshiva. Rabbi Lando responded to questions about prayers for the current difficult times by urging faith that God will help and that the crisis will pass like a fleeting dream.

The Mir Yeshiva leaders informed Rabbi Lando that the yeshiva had adopted a vow of speech fasting, which they said greatly strengthened the students. Rabbi Lando praised this initiative as a significant spiritual achievement.

The remarks sparked strong political backlash. Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, condemned Rabbi Lando’s statements as horrific and accused him of branding Religious Zionist soldiers fighting for Israel’s survival as inciters of murder. Lieberman called on the government to immediately denounce Rabbi Lando’s comments, criticizing its alliance with ultra-Orthodox parties Shas and United Torah Judaism.