Lithuanian community leader Rabbi Landau on Rina Matzliach: "Only a primitive hater speaks like that"

Rabbi Dov Landau, the leader of the Lithuanian ultra-Orthodox community, harshly attacked former journalist Rina Matzliach after Degel HaTorah chairman MK Yaakov Asher presented him with remarks attributed to her about avoiding encounters with Haredim. The rabbi called her words "those of a primitive hater" and suggested she see a doctor. Matzliach responded that the rabbi "does not interest" her.

Rabbi Dov Landau, the spiritual leader of the Lithuanian-Haredi community, harshly attacked former journalist Rina Matzliach during a visit by Degel HaTorah MKs to his sukkah during the Sukkot holiday. Party chairman MK Yaakov Asher presented the rabbi with remarks attributed to Matzliach, according to which when she arrives at a place and sees Haredim there, she "runs away to the side." Rabbi Landau responded sharply: "A hating person, not just a hater—a primitive hater speaks like that. A cultured person does not speak like that." He added, "She is also a liar—she does not run away," and suggested: "Let her go to a doctor." Asher claimed, "If I had said such a thing, heaven forbid, about the Arab sector, they would accuse me of anti-Semitism." Matzliach responded briefly: "Rabbi Landau does not interest me, he does not represent."

Lithuanian community leader Rabbi Landau on Rina Matzliach: "Only a primitive hater speaks like that"