Senior Rabbi Claims Comments Attacking Religious Zionists' IDF Service Were Misinterpreted

Rabbi Dov Lando, a senior spiritual leader in Israel's ultra-Orthodox community, has asserted that his recent controversial comments regarding the service of religious Zionist soldiers in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) were misunderstood. The remarks, which surfaced in a recording, had sparked significant backlash.

Speaking at a conference for community rabbis, Lando stated, "We may encounter people who differ from our way of life, and it is imperative to be careful of any arguments with them regarding our differing views." He further elaborated, "Our views are clear to us from our rabbis... and in particular we must be very careful of arguments with people who, under the cover of their faith, persecute the Torah and those who learn it."

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We may encounter people who differ from our way of life, and it is imperative to be careful of any arguments with them regarding our differing views.

According to Lando, his statements were made during a private conversation and were subsequently "reacted to with distortion and a complete lack of understanding." Earlier, the rabbi had accused the religious Zionist community of engaging in wars not for Israel's protection, questioning the morality of soldiers killing people in the country's name. "It's simply murder. So they're inciting to murder, that's what they're doing," he had stated.

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Our views are clear to us from our rabbis... and in particular we must be very careful of arguments with people who, under the cover of their faith, persecute the Torah and those who learn it.

The comments drew swift condemnation from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who asserted that IDF soldiers deserve "gratitude and appreciation." In response to Netanyahu's statement, the Degel Hatorah party, to which Lando belongs, issued a warning against criticizing their spiritual leader.

Lando is the spiritual leader of the hassidic Degel Hatorah political faction and heads the Slabodka yeshiva in Bnei Brak. His comments highlight ongoing tensions within Israeli society regarding the role and perception of different religious and political groups, particularly concerning military service.

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If the country sends people, soldiers, in the name of the country's honor, and they kill people, is that also allowed? It's simply murder. So they're inciting to murder, that's what they're doing.