Israel’s President: “Enough division and hatred”

When Israel’s President Isaac Herzog attended a ceremony marking the Memorial Day for Israel’s fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism at the Western Wall in Jerusalem’s Old City on the evening of 29 April, he called on the public to set aside division and work toward unity in Israeli society.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog spoke at the Western Wall on the occasion of the Day of Remembrance for Israel’s fallen soldiers and terror victims. The photo is from a previous occasion. Photo: GPO

This was the second Memorial Day since the Hamas massacre on 7 October, which triggered the war in Gaza. A total of 25,420 people have died in service in the country since 1860 – the year Israel, or more precisely the Jewish population in the region, began counting its fallen soldiers.
President Herzog began his speech by addressing the 59 hostages still being held in Gaza: “An entire nation misses you, worries about you, cries with you.”
– Here, in the place where our soldiers swear to defend Israel’s homeland and freedom – we too, I swear, will not rest and will not stand still… not even for a moment. To act with all our might, by all means, to take one step more, and another, until you all return home, Herzog promised, according to The Times of Israel.
The president then shared stories of families who had lost loved ones in combat or terrorist attacks, saying that it is thanks to these families that Israel endures.
– Beloved and respected grieving families. The truth must be told: We have never sought to live by the sword. We are not a war-loving people.
– On the contrary: peace was, and remains, our greatest aspiration. We will never give up our pursuit of peace. Never, Herzog vowed, adding:
– At the same time, we will never, not even for a moment, renounce our duty to defend ourselves, and our historic and natural right to exist – just like other nations – sovereign in our homeland.

He then addressed the people of Israel and pleaded for peace “within our own home.”
– Enough division! Enough polarisation! Enough hatred! We must not, with our own hands, destroy our national home, the president said, according to The Times of Israel.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir then reminded listeners that Israel is currently engaged in a multi-front war for the very existence of the State of Israel, after Iran and its proxies initiated conflict.
In an interview with The Jerusalem Post ahead of Independence Day, President Herzog also addressed internal conflicts, the unbreakable bond with Jews in the diaspora, and the threats from Gaza, Iran, Syria, and Lebanon.
He commented on the battle over the judiciary and its powers – a conflict that began decades ago but exploded when plans for judicial reform were presented in 2022. Herzog described a massive backlash from both the public and the judiciary, but said that the legislation that was eventually passed was a toned-down version of the original proposal.
– This is something that has torn us apart for over a generation… I will tirelessly continue to seek compromises and understanding, because I believe the gaps are not as vast as they appear, he added.

Herzog also addressed the controversial dismissal of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar by the government.
– It cannot be denied that Bar was involved in the serious failures in the hours leading up to 7 October – failures which he himself admitted. Serious mistakes were made, which I do not minimise for a second, said Herzog, adding that this is why Bar announced his resignation.
– But we must remember that this was a systemic collapse at all levels and that this must be thoroughly investigated by a state commission of inquiry – one that should also include Netanyahu.
Herzog told The Jerusalem Post that it is not only Jews in Israel who have experienced war – Jews in the diaspora have faced a different, but no less serious, struggle for their safety since October 2023.
Herzog therefore wants to work tirelessly to connect, unite, and build common ground between Israeli Jews and Jews in the diaspora.
– As president of the only nation-state of the Jewish people in the world, I say: we care deeply about what happens in the diaspora, the president said.

Regarding the discord in Israeli society, Herzog appealed in The Jerusalem Post:
– This is my plea, my outcry, to the nation: Simmer down. Everyone believes that their own echo chamber is the only one that’s correct, that everyone else is wrong.
He also touched on Iran’s nuclear programme, claiming Iran has much to hide.
He also touched on Iran’s nuclear programme, claiming Iran has much to hide.
– Iran has blocked IAEA inspectors, said Herzog, emphasising that Iran’s ballistic missile programme must not be allowed to lead to a nuclear weapons programme.
As for recent developments in Syria and Lebanon, Herzog was cautiously optimistic.
– But we still need to be extremely cautious, he stressed, adding that the seemingly more moderate new leaders in Syria and Lebanon must be judged by “actions – not just words.”
– The division and hatred we are witnessing are extremely worrying and dangerous, Herzog said.
– Our enemies out there, who are constantly trying to destroy us, really don’t care whether the person they killed supported or opposed judicial reform.