Who is Dov Lando, the Israeli rabbi criticising Zionism? | Israel Election 2026 News | Al Jazeera

Dov Lando, a 96-year-old ultra-Orthodox rabbi and leader of Israel's Lithuanian community, has caused controversy by criticizing Zionism, stating it caused suffering for the Jewish people and that Israelis might have been better off without a state. His comments, released in a video, have drawn rebukes from Israeli politicians ahead of key elections where the ultra-Orthodox community's influence is significant. Lando is a member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah council and the spiritual leader of Degel HaTorah, also criticizing secular Israelis and military service.