Isaac Herzog
@Isaac_Herzog · Middle East
Isaac Herzog is followed by Storyz World for government and public service coverage connected to Israel in the Middle East chapter.
Boycott and bullying are a red line! As President of the State of Israel, I see combating boycott and bullying as a national mission. This morning we launched a nationwide initiative led by the National Forum for Combating Boycott and Bullying, established at the President's Residence, together with many partners from all sectors of Israeli society, in order to fight a phenomenon that harms our children. We launched the website “It’s on Us,” which brings together in one place, and for the first time in Israel, all the services, tools, and assistance centers for anyone who needs help or guidance. I invite all of you to visit the website and share it. This is all our responsibility.
Translated from HebrewI am delighted to visit Cyprus once again and meet with my dear friend President Nikos @Christodulides. The close partnership between Israel and Cyprus in so many fields brings great benefits to both our nations and contributes to regional stability and prosperity. I look forward to discussing with President Christodoulides ways to explore the potential to deepen our relations. 🇮🇱🇨🇾
I am happy to return to Cyprus and meet my dear friend, the President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides @Christodulides The close partnership between Israel and Cyprus in many areas brings great benefit to both countries and contributes to stability and prosperity in the region. I look forward to speaking with President Christodoulides about ways to deepen our relations and realize the great potential inherent in our partnership.
Translated from HebrewI had an excellent meeting today with my dear friend President @Christodulides in Cyprus. One day, I hope that we can meet here together with the President of Lebanon too. For this, we must move toward peace in our region, while making sure that the threat of terror is removed. https://t.co/m6KnG164o2
I was very happy to meet today in Cyprus with my dear friend, President Nikos Christodoulides @Christodulides. I hope the day will come when we can meet here together with the President of Lebanon. For that to happen, we must move toward peace in our region, while ensuring that the threat of terrorism is removed and that the peoples of the region can live in security and peace.
Translated from HebrewIsrael must continue to be at the forefront of global technology, and for that we need our younger generation, curious, creative and determined young women and men who choose to build the future here. Today we came north, visiting the Finger of the Galilee, Kiryat Shmona, the kibbutzim, the moshavim and the community settlements in the area, to see up close the work being done and the investment in the region's future. We inaugurated the “Bitmaker” center at Tel Hai, an innovative new technological education center that gives the children of the Galilee the tools and opportunities to learn, create, initiate and develop here, and we visited Kiryat Shmona - Tel Hai University, which is a great promise for the north and its younger generation, and inaugurated a new wing in its library. We met young women and men, were impressed by the projects they developed and heard about the path they are taking. Thank you to all the partners in this important endeavor, to Elbit Systems and the “Habaita” Foundation, to the Eastern Galilee Cluster of Authorities, to the local authorities, the Northern District of the Ministry of Education, and others. Strengthening the north is an investment in the future: in education, innovation, academia and, above all, in the people who are building their home here and the future of the State of Israel.
Translated from HebrewAt the memorial marking a decade since the death of the ninth president, Shimon Peres, of blessed memory, at Mount Herzl, I remembered one of the qualities that characterized him above all: the ability to raise one's gaze and see far ahead. Peres refused to accept the limits of the possible as they appeared at that moment, and insisted on not surrendering to reality as it is, but dreaming of how it could be. Especially during an election period, it seems that we need something of this ability - to lift our heads from the turbulent present, look beyond the horizon, remember that we all have the right to be different, and believe that even a reality that seems impossible today can be Israel's tomorrow. Elections are not a civil war! We may disagree, we have a duty to express ourselves, but we must not forget - the day after the election, we will all remain here together, sisters and brothers. And only together can we build our shared tomorrow. May the memory of Shimon and Sonya Peres be blessed and cherished in the heart of the nation forever.
Translated from HebrewSanctions on Israel from the UK - or any other nation - will prove to be a grave miscalculation, a gross interference in the democratic elections of a sovereign nation, and a decision that will fall on the wrong side of history. Sanctions are not a solution – dialogue is. I say to all foreign governments: Stop! Step away from the dead-end of sanctions and boycotts, and turn toward constructive dialogue and toward cooperation.
Michal here, behind every statistic there is a woman, a family and a whole story. That is why early detection is so important. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I met at the President’s Residence with senior women doctors and women from the Ahat Mitesha organization, and heard about the need to move from early detection based mainly on age to personalized risk assessment that will also make it possible to reach young women who are currently under the radar. I call on every woman to learn her risk factors, ask questions, seek advice and not ignore them. We all have a responsibility to do everything we can so that information, awareness and the possibility of early detection reach every woman, at every age and in every community. Thank you to the Ahat Mitesha organization, the women doctors and everyone working throughout the year for women’s health in Israel. Together we can reach more women earlier and save lives.
Translated from HebrewThese are the beautiful faces of the State of Israel! At the 2026 President’s Medal ceremony that we held this evening, I had the honor of presenting the medal to 11 women and men who, each in their own way, are a beacon in their field. People who have changed, influenced, contributed, and continue to contribute in an exceptional way to the State of Israel and Israeli society. Precisely in a time of disagreements and changes, this diversity is our strength. We must give space and opportunity to the new forces growing here, create connections among them, and build frameworks for a shared life together. Because this is Israeli beauty - and together we will build our Israeli future.
Translated from HebrewThese are the recipients of the President’s Medal for 2026: Yona Elian Keshet, Professor Hossam Haick, Professor Muli Lahad, Professor Hefziba Lipschitz, Professor Yossi Leshem, Ivy Moses, Ziva Mekonen, Attorney Moshe Nissim, Rabbi Haim Sabato, Yehuda Eder, Professor Uriel Reichman. We are proud of you!
Translated from HebrewJust before Yom Kippur, in the month of mercy and forgiveness, we must look squarely at the epidemic of violence and crime in Israeli society. One of the sins we must add this year is the sin we committed by becoming accustomed to it. We must not become accustomed to the blood that is being shed and turn it into a statistic. We must do everything to put an end to this, including giving the police all the tools and powers required to deal with the epidemic. Remarks I delivered this morning at the ceremony honoring outstanding members of the Israel Police at the President's Residence:
Translated from HebrewThe Negev is the future of the State of Israel—and to realize it, we must also confront the painful challenges. The fight against violence and crime must be uncompromising, alongside conversation, dialogue, and creating opportunities for all the residents of the Negev. I was pleased to take part in laying the cornerstone for a new culture and employment center in the Negev, a beautiful collaboration between the Lehavim Local Council and the Bnei Shimon Regional Council, together with KKL-JNF, the National Insurance Institute, the Ministry of Welfare, and additional partners. The center will combine culture, community, and employment for people with special needs, based on a vision of integration and inclusion. Congratulations to the head of the Lehavim Local Council, Elad Arzi, and the head of the Bnei Shimon Regional Council, Nir Zamir, and to all the partners on another important step in building the future of the Negev.
Translated from HebrewThe Hamas terrorist Muein al-Arabid was working to undermine the @BoardOfPeace and the disarmament of Hamas in Gaza. His arrest will only help efforts to reach the next stage in Gaza. From my interview with @BiannaGolodryga on @CNN today: https://t.co/gkP3wgnHhL
It is an honor to receive at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem my dear friend, President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of the Congo @Presidence_RDC, on the occasion of his second visit to Israel as President. This visit follows the excellent state visit I made to Kinshasa last year, during which I was warmly welcomed by President Tshisekedi and the Congolese people. We will continue to strengthen the growing bonds of friendship between Israel and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as our relations with the nations of the African continent.
Translated from FrenchI am honored to host my dear friend President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of the Congo @Presidence_RDC at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem for his second visit to Israel as President. This follows my excellent state visit to Kinshasa last year, where I was warmly welcomed by President Tshisekedi and the people of the DR Congo. We will continue to strengthen the growing ties of friendship between Israel and the DR Congo, as well as our ties with nations across the African continent. 🇮🇱🇨🇩
Welcome to Israel, my dear friend, the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Félix Tshisekedi @Presidence_RDC!
Translated from FrenchAfter three years of war, no image expresses our victory more than the children of the north returning to class, to their friends and to their routine. As Shalom Hanoch, who is celebrating his 80th birthday today, wrote in his song: “Sometimes a storm passes and a home breaks.” We went through a storm. The home took the blow, but it did not break—it is alive, standing, moving forward and developing. This is the personal victory of each and every student, and it is also the victory of all of us together. This moment, when they return to their classrooms after everything we have been through, is a historic moment that we will remember for many years to come. This is the real victory: to continue living, learning, building and dreaming.
Translated from HebrewAfter three years of sirens and shelters, evacuations, missiles and war, seeing the children of the north return to their classrooms, friends and school was an especially moving moment for us. This morning we joined the first lesson of the first-grade students at Gvanim School in the Mateh Asher Regional Council, and I was reminded once again of just how noble, great and respected teaching is. When I finish my term as president of the state, I intend to be a teacher throughout the country. Thank you to the council head, Moshe Davidovich, to the Northern District director at the Ministry of Education, Dr. Orna Shimhon, and to the school principal, Yaara Ginat, and to all the female and male teachers and the education teams. We wish all the girls and boys of Israel a wonderful school year!
Translated from HebrewToday Haimanut was supposed to start sixth grade - we are waiting for her at home! At the opening of the school year at Gvanim School in the Mateh Asher Regional Council, at the request of the Kasau family, we released a red balloon together with the students and teaching staff, praying for Haimanut Kasau to be found soon.
Translated from Hebrew (Israel)“I want to do something that will contribute to Israel and to humanity, to strengthen the positive view of science.” — Professor Ada Yonath I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Professor Ada Yonath, Nobel laureate in Chemistry, Wolf Prize laureate, Israel Prize laureate, and one of the leading researchers in the history of Israeli science. Anyone who followed Professor Yonath’s scientific journey knew that she was an international trailblazer, and a pioneer who proved that curiosity, dedication, and unwavering determination can push back the frontiers of human knowledge. Her groundbreaking discoveries changed the face of science and brought great honor to the State of Israel. Professor Yonath lived out that very aspiration, serving as an inspiration to countless women and men alike. We will remember her for her modesty, the originality of her thinking, and as a role model and inspiration to generations of scientists in Israel and around the world. I send my deepest condolences to her family, her colleagues at the Weizmann Institute of Science, her students, and the entire scientific community. May her memory be a blessing.
"I want to do something that will contribute to Israel and humanity, to increase the positive approach to science," Professor Ada Yonath used to say. With deep sorrow, I received the news of the passing of Professor Ada Yonath, Nobel Prize laureate in Chemistry, Israel Prize laureate, and one of the leading researchers in the history of Israeli science. Everyone who followed her scientific journey knew that she was a globally pioneering woman, a trailblazer who proved that curiosity, dedication to a goal, and uncompromising determination can break through the boundaries of human knowledge. Indeed, her groundbreaking discoveries changed the face of science and brought immense honor to the State of Israel. Professor Yonath was able to fulfill this aspiration while serving as an inspiration to many women and men. We will remember her for her humility, originality of thought, and for being a role model and inspiration for generations of women and men scientists in Israel and around the world. My condolences to her family, her students, and the entire scientific community. May her memory be a blessing.
Translated from HebrewI strongly condemn the serious acts of violence in Qusra. This is a crossing of a red line by lawbreakers acting in complete opposition to the laws and values of the State of Israel. Another case in a chain of events that stain Israel's reputation and require firm and decisive action. I stand behind the IDF, which is doing its utmost. The government, security agencies, judicial systems and law-enforcement authorities must act with every available tool and in full coordination to uproot this reprehensible phenomenon and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Translated from HebrewI am deeply saddened to learn of the death of King Harald V of Norway. King Harald V, who loved his people and was loved by them in return, served his nation as King with loyalty and devotion for more than 35 years. On behalf of the people of Israel, I extend condolences to the people of Norway, the Royal Family, and the Government of Norway. May his memory be a blessing.
At my meeting today with the parents and family of the girl Haimanut Kasao, I told them that Shin Bet Director David Zini had informed me that the Shin Bet is involved in the investigation and search efforts for Haimanut, following a request from the Israel Police. For two and a half years, the family has been waiting, searching, and praying to embrace Haimanut at home again. Haimanut is a child of all the people of Israel, and we must make every effort to locate her and return her to her family. I thank the Israel Police for the tremendous efforts it is making, together with the Shin Bet, and all the female and male volunteers who have joined the effort to find her, and I hope from the bottom of my heart that we will hear good news. Haimanut needs to come home.
Translated from Hebrew