Israeli president vows to combat the country's internal crisis
“I see the protests, the anxiety and the fear that comes from the depths of your hearts," says Herzog
Speaking at a naval ceremony on Wednesday, Israeli President Isaac Herzog warned that the current domestic crisis is threatening Israel and all its citizens.
“The State of Israel, Israeli society, all of us, are in a difficult time of an internal, deep and serious crisis that threatens us all,” Herzog said. “It threatens Israel’s internal resilience and solidarity, and it is very dangerous.”
“I turn to the citizens of Israel on this difficult and painful day: I hear your voice, my brothers and sisters, the voices of patriotic Israeli citizens,” he added.
Herzog stressed that he felt the pain of the many ordinary Israeli citizens who are concerned about the current situation in the country.
“I see the protests, the anxiety and the fear that comes from the depths of your hearts – a fear that I also expressed regarding the legislation as it is being presented now. I feel very well the depth of pain and the depth of concern for the fate of the country,” he said.
Unlike in the United States or France, the Israeli presidency is largely an office of symbolic influence, mostly devoid of political power. However, Herzog has emerged as a unifying voice in Israel’s increasingly polarized society.
Seeking a mutually acceptable framework for the controversial judicial reforms that are moving toward passage in the government, Herzog said in February that a compromise was possible “within days.”
Herzog warned that two previous, historic Jewish states collapsed due to internal conflicts and civil war.
“We must not give up on Israeli unity. We must not give up the Jewish and democratic state,” said Herzog.
The All Israel News Staff is a team of journalists in Israel.
