From the Liveblog of
Monday, October 20, 2025
Herzog, at Knesset, takes pains to welcome Supreme Court president with his proper title, after snub by Ohana
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleSam Sokol is a former political correspondent at The Times of Israel. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"
Addressing the opening of the winter parliamentary session, President Isaac Herzog takes pains to refer to Supreme Court President Isaac Amit by his proper title, sparking cheers and clapping from opposition lawmakers enraged that only minutes earlier Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana refused to acknowledge Amit’s position.
“I had a long, pragmatic speech prepared, but this is a very, very significant moment in our national life, and my heart is bleeding,” says Herzog, and moves on to level criticism of Ohana’s treatment of Amit, after the Speaker referred to Amit merely as a Supreme Court “justice” rather than as the head of Israel’s top court.
“My heart is bleeding because there is a difference between a principled debate, which is certainly legitimate and includes legitimate opinions, and sheer discourtesy, disrespect for human dignity, disrespect toward institutions and other branches of government, and disrespect toward the judges of Israel,” says Herzog. “And I will give a voice to the judges of Israel.”
Directly addressing Amit, who is in the Knesset gallery, Herzog says: “I am saying to you, Mr. President, president of the Supreme Court, I cordially welcome you.”
His remarks get a standing ovation from opposition MKs.
Just under a week ago, Herzog criticized Ohana severely for declining to invite Amit to US President Donald Trump’s address to the Knesset.
The Times of Israel Community.