‘Rooted in heresy & rebellion’? Senior Haredi leader calls for withdrawal from Zionist institutions

Rabbi Dov Landau, one of the spiritual leaders of the Degel HaTorah political party and among the senior rabbis of the ultra-Orthodox community in Israel, has called for a withdrawal from Zionist institutions, whose ideology is “rooted in heresy.”

As co-chair of the council of sages, which directs the policy of the ultra-orthodox United Torah Judaism (UTJ) Party, Landau’s instructions could have far-reaching implications.

Despite taking part in the political process, and receiving money from state institutions, UTJ and its Haredi base have historically maintained an ideological opposition to the Zionist ideology.

Landau’s most recent statement, which was published on Tuesday in the ultra-Orthodox daily Yated Ne'eman, came amid a fresh debate over the involvement of the ultra-orthodox community in Zionist institutions like the World Zionist Organization (WZO).

“Zionism is a movement whose purpose is to establish the Jewish people on an explicitly secular foundation, rooted in heresy and rebellion against divine sovereignty,” Landau wrote.

“All the national institutions are built upon this ideology. There is no allowance to participate with them, serve in any role within their institutions, or vote in their elections in any form whatsoever,” he added.

This, Landau wrote, would be “support for heresy and desecration of God's name,” a Jewish theological concept akin to blasphemy.

The rabbi added that participating in the political processes like elections for the Knesset is permitted in order to preserve and strengthen the Jewish character of the Israeli state.

Landau’s statement was condemned by Dr. Yizhar Hess, the deputy chairman of the WZO and a representative of the Conservative movement, a liberal Jewish movement based mainly in the U.S.

“I would feel sorrow if Degel HaTorah [UTJ] representatives are forced to resign from the Zionist Congress and national institutions. The fact that ultra-Orthodox, Reform, and Conservative representatives were able to rise above their differences and sign a joint coalition agreement gave me a sense of optimism,” Hess said, according to the Jerusalem Post.

Yaakov Katz, a senior fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI), sharply criticized Landau’s statement.

Just to understand, his yeshiva received over NIS 50 million since 2015.
This is what he says: "Zionism is...rooted in heresy & rebellion against divine sovereignty. There's no allowance to participate with them, serve in their institutions, or vote in their elections." pic.twitter.com/hqvOWAWxL7

— Yaakov Katz (@yaakovkatz) February 18, 2025

“This man, who calls to boycott Israel because it's founded on 'heresy,' runs a yeshiva that received NIS 4 million in taxpayer funds in 2024. In 2023 it got more than NIS 6 million. Why are we funding someone who opposes the very state that supports him,” he wrote on 𝕏.

“Just to understand, his yeshiva received over NIS 50 million since 2015,” Katz added.

Rabbi Landau has repeatedly attracted harsh criticism for his statements in the past. Two weeks ago, he advocated Arab rule over Israel.

“The best situation, [if] the Arabs would rule, they would respect them (Zionists), not interfere with them, bring money to the country – the Arabs love money,” Landau was cited by the Kikar newspaper.

The rabbi is also among the leading voices opposing the military draft for ultra-orthodox men. Last September, Landau said, “We publicly declare that under no circumstances should anyone report to the recruitment offices, and we stand with these yeshiva students and their families during this trial. We are with you, heroes of valor.”