Addressing 'deep disagreements,' Israeli President Herzog says there is 'no deep state and no dictatorship'

Israeli President Isaac Herzog attended a conference hosted by Yedioth Ahronoth and Ynet marking one and a half years since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led massacre and invasion of southern Israel. 

During his interview at the conference, President Herzog was asked to address some of the pressing political and national issues, including the government’s decision to fire Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) head Ronen Bar, the issue of the hostages, and concerns surrounding the investigations into members of the prime minister’s office. 

“Today marks exactly one and a half years since October 7, a year and a half that our brothers and sisters have been deep in Gaza’s tunnels,” Herzog said at the beginning of this interview. “We must think about the hostages every minute of our lives. We need to see them all home, every last one, and we must do everything to bring them back.” 

Referring to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit with U.S. President Donald Trump later today, Herzog said the two must “addresses the hostage issue.” 

“Today in Washington, there will be a crucial, very important meeting that will also address the hostage issue. I deeply hope, pray, and call for every effort at the White House,” Herzog remarked.

“Come with new, original ideas, make the effort, take every step to bring our brothers and sisters back – some to burial in Israel, others to their homes.” 

During his interview, Herzog decried the polarization and acrimonious dialogue between the coalition and opposition groups. 

“There is no deep state or dictatorship here,” Herzog said regarding the clashes over the Shin Bet, the Supreme Court, and recent Judicial Reform laws passed by the coalition. 

Herzog said the fact the nation is involved “in deep disputes” does not mean “democracy is lost.” 

“I’m very troubled, and I think this exchange of blows is intolerable,” the president said. “It’s dangerous and endangers Israel’s citizens and the state. We need a real dialogue on such disputes, addressing them respectfully and appropriately.” 

Herzog also called on the government to obey the Supreme Court’s decision, which will be announced following the hearing on Ronen Bar’s dismissal on Tuesday. 

“There will be no civil war. Period. The law and court rulings must be obeyed unequivocally. These are the rules we live by, and that’s how I see it,” Herzog stated. “There’s an absolute duty to obey court rulings – it’s a foundational principle. The court is essential for us to function as a democratic society.” 

Herzog spoke of the need for “a strong, independent judiciary” which he said “is necessary to uphold citizens’ basic rights.” 

On Friday, Ronen Bar caused a stir when he claimed that Netanyahu decided to fire him after Bar refused to tell judges in Netanyahu’s corruption trial that the prime minister could not testify regularly due to security concerns. 

Netanyahu’s office pushed back on the claim, stating that they only requested a change of location. However, former Shin Bet chief Yoram Cohen, on Monday claimed that Netanyahu had asked him in a previous term to disqualify then cabinet member Naftali Bennett by revoking his security clearance, due to questions over Bennett’s loyalty to Netanyahu. 

Bennett himself posted a message to Facebook about the incident, saying, “I wanted to eliminate Hamas, Netanyahu wanted to eliminate me.” 

Bennett recently started a new political party ahead of the election season expected to start in earnest later this year. 

At the conference, Herzog called on all sides to dial back the political rhetoric. 

“We live in an era where the political system reaches very harsh extremes. It’s dangerous and bad for the state,” Herzog warned. “I call for restraint, responsibility, and recognition that we’re ultimately brothers.” 

The president also called for patience regarding the “Qatargate” investigation. 

“There are very deep questions that need thorough investigation, “Herzog cautioned. Let’s see the facts. Let’s wait for the truth to emerge.” 

Ahead of the Supreme Court hearing on Bar’s dismissal, there were also several developments in the related “Qatargate” scandal. One of the two main suspects, Yonatan Urich, was released to house arrest after the Israel Police did not request an extension of his detention. 

The other suspect, Eli Feldstein, was released to house arrest on Friday, following a day of testimony in which the two sometimes exchanged heated words with each other. 

Herzog also reiterated calls for a state inquiry into the Oct. 7 attacks, a move opposed by Netanyahu, but supported by the military, the Shin Bet, the Israel Police, and most of the Israeli public, including those who support the coalition government. 

Herzog called an inquiry a “true legal tool” that “would bring calm. He claimed to have secured an agreement which would see Justice Noam Sohlberg, whom the coalition wanted to nominate as Supreme Court President, brought in to the appointment for members of the inquiry committee. 

“I believe there are enough tools to seriously craft an inquiry that provides answers,” Herzog claimed. 

“It’s legitimate to debate the depth and form of the inquiry to serve future generations, draw lessons, and reach conclusions,” Herzog said. “The President’s Residence receives many proposals, and I again call for attention to a thorough investigation via a state commission.”