Enemy's strength intensifies when they witness our decline, warns President Herzog
President Yitzhak Herzog's Urgent Call for Unity and Moderation on Tisha B'Av
In a timely message sent on Friday afternoon, President Yitzhak Herzog addressed the nation on the eve of Tisha B'Av, a day of mourning and reflection in Judaism. Amidst ongoing political turmoil, the president's message underscored the importance of national unity and respect for democratic institutions.
The president expressed deep concern about the current situation in the country and urged against gratuitous hatred, mutual attacks, boycotts, rejections, threats of violence, and even threats of murder. He reminded the public that there is no obligation to increase controversy among the people after Tisha B'Av.
President Herzog's message comes at a critical juncture, as the government faces significant controversy and division over the attempted dismissal of Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara. The government's decision to postpone the discussion on the dismissal was based on the intention 'not to increase controversy among the people before Tisha B'Av'.
The president reiterated his stance that threatening to increase controversy after Tisha B'Av has not drawn any historical lessons. He emphasized the importance of learning from past mistakes that led the public to feel unheard and insensitive to their pain.
The president also marked 20 years since the Disengagement, another deeply divisive event in Israeli society. He cautioned against throwing more matches into the barrel of explosives and emphasized that Tisha B'Av should not be an isolated island of moderation on the calendar.
In a bid to rebuild bridges between the people, President Herzog called for national responsibility and protection of the common home. He warned against making decisions that could rock the Jewish and democratic ship and urged for a cohesive approach that respects democratic norms and the rule of law.
Herzog's message reflects an effort to frame present challenges within the larger historical and spiritual context of Israel's collective endurance. His call for restraint and unity resonates with broader concerns about governance, justice, and the future course of Israeli democracy.
As the process of dismissing the Attorney General is expected to be discussed again on Monday, the president's message serves as a reminder of the need for unity and respect for democratic institutions in times of political strife.
In the midst of the contentious policy-and-legislation debate surrounding the Attorney General's dismissal, President Yitzhak Herzog's call for unity echoes a pivotal point in Israeli politics. His message underscores the significance of democratic institutions in the face of general-news events that threaten to divide the nation.
