Herzog calls for unity as attack looms: ‘Our enemies celebrate when they see division’
Speaking alongside president at memorial ceremony for Zeev Jabotinsky, Netanyahu says that ‘our long hand strikes the Gaza Strip, Yemen, Beirut — wherever is necessary’
Amy Spiro is a reporter and writer with The Times of Israel
At a state memorial ceremony on Sunday for Zionist leader Zeev Jabotinsky, President Isaac Herzog warned against allowing internal divisions to weaken the nation as it braces for a retaliatory attack from both Iran and Hezbollah.
“Our national resilience is being tested, and we all feel that internal tensions and polarization are growing, precisely when we can afford it least,” said Herzog during the event on Jerusalem’s Mount Herzl.
The president appeared to be referring to last week’s unrest at two IDF bases — including by a number of elected lawmakers who were among those to break into the Sde Teiman base — over the arrests of several soldiers suspected of abusing a Palestinian terror detainee.
“I call on public leaders to calm the situation, exercise restraint, refrain from crossing red lines, and protect our social fabric and solidarity,” Herzog said. “We must not harm the IDF. Based on intelligence reports, I know that our enemies celebrate when they see division among us.”
In his own comments at the event, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated remarks that Israel is prepared to counter Iran’s malign activities on every single front.
“Iran and its minions are looking to surround us in a stranglehold of terrorism. Their blatant aggression is insatiable,” said Netanyahu. “We are determined to stand against them on every front and in every arena – near and far. Whoever murders our citizens, whoever harms our country, will not escape responsibility. They will pay a very heavy price. Our long hand strikes the Gaza Strip, Yemen, Beirut — wherever is necessary.”
The leaders spoke as Israelis remained on high alert as the nation braced for an expected retaliation from both Iran and Hezbollah. Tehran has threatened to strike Israel in response to the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh last week, an incident in which Israel has not publicly admitted playing a role. Hezbollah is also vowing to attack Israel following the IDF airstrike last week that killed a senior commander in the terror group, Fuad Shukr.
Speaking on Sunday evening, Herzog averred that Israel is ready to counter any threat, though it did not seek out war.
“Our enemies, part of an axis of evil, have declared their intent to attack us soon with great force,” the president said. “Despite everything, as someone privy to intelligence and other materials, I unequivocally declare: The State of Israel is prepared to confront this threat.”
Herzog noted that the Israeli Air Force and its many defense and alert systems “stand alert and ready — and have already proven themselves… We are capable of protecting our citizens against any threat posed by our enemies.” The president also pointed to Israel’s alliance with “the world’s strongest power, the United States, which is committed to our security.”
“I wish to send a clear message to our enemies: We did not seek this war,” the president added. “But when left with no choice, when faced with actions aimed at our destruction, we will defend ourselves without compromise — anytime, anywhere, and by any means necessary.”
Herzog and Netanyahu both also spoke of the 111 hostages abducted by Hamas on October 7 who are believed to remain in Gaza, including 39 confirmed dead by the IDF.
The prime minister reiterated that “only increasing military pressure on the Hamas murderers will achieve all the objectives of the war — including returning all of our hostages home, both living and dead.”
The president, meanwhile, said that “advancing a deal to bring the hostages back is central to our resilience and unity.” To that end, he said, “we must come together, meet the challenge, and expedite a hostage deal.”
