In a wide-ranging interview marking the halfway point of his term, Israeli President Isaac Herzog hosted Kikar HaShabbat at the Presidential Residence for a frank conversation with journalist Yishai Cohen. The discussion covered some of the most urgent and divisive issues in Israeli society today, including the chareidi draft law, judicial reform, the ongoing hostage crisis, and Herzog’s role as a unifying figure in a fractured nation.
Herzog, whose presidency has coincided with some of the most turbulent events in Israel’s history—including the COVID-19 pandemic, multiple elections, shifting governments, the judicial overhaul battle, the Simchas Torah massacre, and the Iron Swords War—spoke with deep emotion about the need for national cohesion ahead of Shavuos.
Reflecting on the Yom Tov, he said, “This is the chag on which we received the greatest gift. I always remember what Rashi wrote, that k’ish echad b’lev echad, and that’s the message I want to share now: It’s unacceptable that we can’t sit together, talk, and disagree respectfully. I’m calling on the public and our leaders—this Shavuos, let’s do something real, let’s reach out and start a conversation.”
Herzog pointed out the painful juxtaposition between Yom Yerushalayim, marking 58 years since the city’s liberation, and the 58 hostages still being held by Hamas in Gaza, now for more than 600 days. “It’s a terrible situation,” he said. “I think about the hostages every minute. I’m in contact with the families and the returnees—it’s unbearable. We have to do everything possible, by every means, to bring them home.”
He shared his frustration with the international community. “Every day I speak with heads of state and tell them: Instead of attacking Israel, you should be demanding the hostages’ release. That would be the key to everything. Hamas wants to exploit the divisions between us and the world. A united demand to release the hostages should come first.”
Herzog praised the chareidi leadership for supporting hostage release efforts. “It’s very impressive. Families of hostages tell me this and bless them for it. I deeply appreciate it.”
He continued emotionally: “Just think of the hell they’ve gone through simply for being Jews, for being Israelis. Think of Maftir Yonah—three days in the fish. And here, it’s over 600 days. This is an unbearable reality.”
Asked whether political interests had blocked potential deals for hostage release, Herzog was cautious. “I have to be very careful with my words,” he said. “As president, anything I say can be misused by our enemies. There’s been a huge effort by President Trump and the Israeli government—by the Prime Minister and the top leadership. But how we got here? That will have to be investigated.”
Herzog called for the establishment of a national commission of inquiry. “There have been nearly 60 such commissions in Israel’s history. Families and citizens have come to me with footage and testimonies. Soldiers who fought that day want a place to share what they know. We need to investigate this properly to learn and make sure it never happens again.”
He acknowledged the political dispute over who should appoint such a commission and proposed a solution. “I suggested that Justices Sohlberg and Amit jointly appoint the committee. We have to get creative and think outside the box.”
Herzog criticized the refusal of the government to engage with Chief Justice Amit and called for dialogue. “It can’t be that people can’t sit in a room and talk. I understand the anger and pain—but we must respect the judges and follow the court’s rulings. We have to avoid a confrontation that could end in disaster. Let’s make an effort to reduce tensions and start talking.”
“I’m crying this out,” Herzog said. “I feel like a prophet crying out at the city gates, but no one wants to listen. People keep fighting, humiliating one another, gouging each other’s eyes out. It’s intolerable.”
He reiterated his stance that defiance of the court is a red line. “I’ve made it absolutely clear—disregarding the court is unacceptable. There are initiatives that threaten the independence of the judiciary, and that’s dangerous. We must prevent it.”
Still, he called on the judiciary to open up as well. “I told the legal system: You need to enter the room and extend your hand. I’m calling on all of Am Yisrael—get in the room and talk.”
Herzog has also advocated for a plea deal in Prime Minister Netanyahu’s trial. “I’ve said this repeatedly—I think it would be the right move for both sides. Former Chief Justice Barak and others have said the same. This case burdens the system and will take years.” Asked whether such a deal would require Netanyahu to leave public life, Herzog replied, “I haven’t entered into the details. That’s for the parties to decide. I’m not getting into politics.”
Addressing criticism from both political extremes, Herzog said, “Let me tell you something disturbing, but revealing. During the March of the Living in Auschwitz, my staff showed me one post calling me the ‘Kaplanist President,’ and another calling me the ‘Bibist President.’ Maybe that means I’m doing something right. I’m trying to speak to the whole nation. Honestly? I don’t care about the criticism. My only goal is to prevent a rift so deep we can’t heal from it.”
Turning to the draft law and the status of yeshiva students, Herzog was quick to respond. “I know this issue very well—I even served on the Tal Committee. I was very disappointed when the Tal Law, which brought real change, was struck down by the Supreme Court. But since the war, a lot has changed. We need to talk about that. I support practical solutions—ones the IDF must help create.”
He lamented that his proposal, the “President’s Framework,” was rejected out of hand during the judicial crisis. “They didn’t even give it five minutes. But now we’re in a different situation. We’re at war. I know there’s real change happening in the chareidi public—people are engaged and care. We need to work with the IDF to find deep and practical solutions for chareidi integration.”
He added, “It’s crucial that we don’t speak in divisive terms. We are sending our sons and daughters into a milchemes mitzvah to protect everyone. I have immense respect for the Torah world—that’s no secret—but we must understand that all the tribes of Israel must stand together against the immense threats we face.”
Summing up his term so far, Herzog said, “This has been an extraordinary presidency. I doubt any of my predecessors had to deal with what I’ve faced. This is a journey I carry every day, every hour, for the sake of all of Am Yisrael. We must get through this together, return to being a light to the nations, and build a better future for all.”
{Matzav.com Israel}