Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Ukrainian delegation has reportedly brought a map to the White House: US media
Zelensky at meeting in White House did not answer whether he is ready for territorial gains
Trump says he will say 'maybe later today' if security guarantees to Ukraine could involve US troops
Trump greets Zelensky at White House
Trump says will meet Putin and Zelensky if 'everything works out'
Trump says US to be 'involved' in Ukraine's future security
Hamas has agreed to proposal presented by mediators Egypt and Qatar: Egyptian official source to Reuters
The proposal includes path to reach a comprehensive deal to end war: Egyptian official source to Reuters
Temporary suspension of military operations will see exchange of Palestinian prisoners in return for release of half of Israeli captives held in Gaza: Egyptian official source to Reuters
Latest Gaza ceasefire proposal includes temporary suspension of military operations for 60 days, Egyptian official source to Reuters

Ultra-Orthodox rabbi urges followers to leave Zionist institutions

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Israeli media
  • 18 Feb 2025 12:44
3 Min Read

Israeli Rabbi Dov Landau directed Degel HaTorah representatives to withdraw from Zionist institutions, arguing that Zionism is a secular movement that contradicts traditional Jewish values.

Listen
  • x
  • Rabbi Dov Lando, leader of the Degel HaTorah party, undated. (Social Media)
    Rabbi Dov Lando, leader of the Degel HaTorah party, undated (Social media)

On Tuesday, the Jerusalem Post reported that Rabbi Dov Landau, a senior figure in the Lithuanian ultra-Orthodox community in "Israel," instructed representatives of the Degel HaTorah political party to withdraw from all Zionist institutions due to deep ideological differences with the secular foundations of Zionism.

In a letter published today in the ultra-Orthodox daily Yated Ne'eman, Landau wrote, "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," adding, "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 emphasized that participating in these institutions supports beliefs that "contradict traditional Jewish values, warning that it results in the desecration of God's name."

'A change in Zionist dynamics'

The Jerusalem Post explains that Landau's statement comes amid wider discussions about the role of ultra-Orthodox and religious communities in Zionist institutions. It notes that the World Zionist Organization (WZO), established in 1897 by Theodor Herzl, oversees key institutions like the Jewish Agency for Israel, the Jewish National Fund (JNF), and Keren Hayesod.

The report notes a growing influence of religious, right-wing factions within these institutions in recent years. It highlights that in the 2020 elections for the 38th World Zionist Congress (WZC), Orthodox groups made significant gains, with the Eretz HaKodesh faction—a coalition of conservative religious-Zionist and ultra-Orthodox figures—securing over 20,000 votes.

Related News

Comptroller to grill Netanyahu, ex-security chiefs over Oct 7 failures

IOF detain Palestinian culture minister during West Bank visit

However, their platform notably refrained from using the terms "Zionist" or "State of Israel," assuring potential voters that participating in WZO elections did not signify "ideological support for Zionism."

Theological divide

The Jerusalem Post reported that Landau’s opposition to Zionist institutions stems from long-standing ultra-Orthodox theology, which rejects Zionism as a "secular-nationalist movement."

In his letter, he stated that Zionism is based on "heresy and rebellion against divine sovereignty", and participating in its institutions supports this ideology.

Read next: The final stage is the end of Zionism: Haaretz

He clarified that while participation in Israeli elections is allowed to protect the religious character of the state, involvement in the Zionist Organization is incompatible with religious principles.

Implications for Degel HaTorah

According to the report, Degel HaTorah’s decision to withdraw from Zionist institutions could have practical consequences for its role within the United Torah Judaism (UTJ) faction in the Knesset.

The report also noted that Degel HaTorah's future participation in international Jewish forums, such as the World Zionist Congress (WZC), is uncertain following this directive.

The WZC, which convenes every five years, plays a significant role in directing billions of dollars in funding for Zionist initiatives globally.

Read next: Boiling pot: 'Israel's' ideological discord

  • Israel
  • Israeli occupation
  • Ultra-orthodox Jews
  • Rabbi Dov Landau
  • Dov Landau

Most Read

Egypt demands clarification over Netanyahu’s 'Greater Israel' vision

Egypt demands clarification over Netanyahu’s 'Greater Israel' vision

  • MENA
  • 14 Aug 2025
Declassified: CIA’s covert Ukraine invasion plan

Declassified: CIA’s covert Ukraine invasion plan

  • Opinion
  • 16 Aug 2025
Sheikh Qassem: Lebanese gov’t serving Israeli agenda, Resistance firm

Resistance won’t give up arms, gov. decision dangerous: Sheikh Qassem

  • Politics
  • 15 Aug 2025
The positions of the current regime in Syria are indefensible, not even from a selfish materialist perspective. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Normalisation is death of Arab sovereignty, Syria is the best example

  • Opinion
  • 14 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gestures during a meeting of the right-wing bloc at the Knesset in Jerusalem on November 20, 2019. (Gali Tibbon/AFP via Getty Images)
Politics

Qatargate: Netanyahu aides accused of taking millions from Qatar

The Kerch Strait Bridge, connecting the Russian mainland and Crimean peninsula, in 2023. Ukraine first attacked it the previous October, with a truck bomb. (Associated Press)
Europe

Russia's FSB foils Ukrainian 'terrorist attack' on Crimean bridge

Australia bans Israeli politician over Gaza, West Bank comments
Asia Pacific

Australia bans Israeli politician over Gaza, West Bank comments

Presidential candidate Rodrigo Paz, center, waves to supporters after early results showed him leading in the presidential election in La Paz, Bolivia, Sunday, on August 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Latin America

Paz, Quiroga advance to runoff after Left’s collapse in Bolivia

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS