Herzog criticizes government, PM for attacking civil servants, opposing state Oct. 7 probe

Without mentioning Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by name, President Isaac Herzog blasts the government for pursuing “divisive” and “unilateral” policies at the same time as it returns to fighting in Gaza.

“It is impossible not to be deeply troubled by the harsh reality unfolding before our eyes,” says the president in a video message.

“Thousands of reserve call-up orders have been issued recently. It is inconceivable to send our sons to the front while at the same time pursuing controversial moves that deepen division within the people.”

Netanyahu is convening his cabinet tonight to vote to dismiss Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar.

“It is impossible to renew the fighting to fulfill the sacred command to bring back the hostages, and at the same time not listen to and support their desperate families who are going through hell on earth,” Herzog continues, as massive protests continue in Jerusalem against Bar’s firing and against the end of the Gaza ceasefire.

He says that he meets bereaved families that “are begging and crying out to avoid deepening the rift and division, asking for unity, love of Israel, asking to preserve the state, asking for a full, thorough, and independent investigation of the terrible disaster.”

Netanyahu opposes a state commission to investigate the October 7 attacks, arguing it will be biased against him.

“Unfortunately,” Herzog continues, “we are witnessing a series of unilateral actions, and I am deeply concerned about their impact on our national resilience.”

As Netanyahu releases a series of videos and speeches blasting the “deep state,” Herzog says Israel’s civil servants “are the target of an ongoing campaign against them.”

“These are dedicated civil servants who do their job faithfully, including reservists, bereaved families, and the neighbors of each of us,” he says, adding that “they should not be the subject of slander.”

“I demand that every step be carefully considered and examined to see whether it contributes to national resilience, and especially whether it contributes to the war effort and the return of the hostages,” he concludes.