Israeli President Isaac Herzog in a video message to Jews worldwide, Aug. 7, 2024. (Photo: Screenshot)
Israeli President Isaac Herzog addressed world Jewry on Wednesday as Israel marked 10 months since the brutal Hamas Oct. 7 massacre of at least 1,200 Israelis and the abduction of more than 250 into Gaza.
“Dear Jewish sisters and brothers from around the world, these are difficult moments for the State of Israel and the Jewish people. These very days, we mark 10 months since the brutal massacre of October 7,” Herzog stated.
The president recalled the tragic fate of the Israel’s Bibas family that was brutally abducted by Hamas terrorists on Oct. 7.
“It coincides with another heartbreaking moment in time, the fifth birthday of Ariel Bibas, the little red-headed boy from Kibbutz Nir Oz who was abducted from his home by Hamas terrorists on that dark day, along with his mother, Shiri, his father, Yarden, and his baby brother, Kfir,” Herzog said.
The president emphasized Israel’s ability to defend itself against its enemies.
“I want to state clearly, we have the capacity to confront our enemies and to defeat them. The State of Israel is blessed with many resources, most importantly incredible human resources. We have an excellent and highly motivated military, air force, intelligence services, and others. We have advanced air-defense systems,” Herzog argued.
The president also highlighted Israel’s strong alliances with the United States and other nations.
“We have strong and enduring alliances that are committed to protecting not only Israel but the rules-based world order we are fighting for, and we are so grateful to them – especially to our closest ally and friend, the United States of America, which is leading the coalition actively defending the values of life and liberty,” he stated.
He concluded by stressing the resilience of the Jewish people to not only survive but thrive despite experiencing many tragedies.
“But beyond all of that, we carry another most precious resource, the remarkable resilience of our people. A resilience which is rooted in the deep sense of connection and shared destiny that we have shared all across the ages. It is what has enabled us to get back up and rebuild after even the worst tragedies, and it is what we lean into right now,” Herzog said.
Herzog, the son of the late President Chaim Herzog, has emerged as a voice of moderation and unity in Israel’s politically divided society. While the Israeli presidency is mainly ceremonial, Herzog has nevertheless eloquently addressed key issues that concern Israel and the world community.
In June, the Israeli president urged the international community to condemn the ongoing attacks by the Iranian terror proxy in Lebanon, Hezbollah, against northern Israeli communities.
“Israel has been attacked daily, for many months, by Iran’s arms in Lebanon, in flagrant violation of all international agreements and resolutions. The world needs to wake up and realize that Israel has no choice but to protect its citizens and don’t be surprised when its does so ever more strong and firmly and don’t complain when the situation is out of control,” he warned. “This is not the time to stand by and let the area escalate. This evil terrorist aggression must be curbed and stopped.”
Iran and Hezbollah are currently threatening a “revenge” attack on Israel for the recent assassinations of the top Hezbollah military commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut and Hamas senior political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
While the Israeli military is on a high alert, diplomatic pressures from the United States and other international actors have reportedly led Iranian regime to reconsider its major attack on the Jewish state. However, Israel remains prepared and ready for any scenario.
