From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, November 1, 2023
Herzog praises Israeli ‘resilience, spirit and soul’ in address to nation, warns against racism
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleLazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
President Isaac Herzog gives an address to the nation about “resilience, spirit and soul,” praising the “Israeli mosaic” he has met as he visits the wounded, families of hostages, and displaced communities.
“I say to you what I told the families, unequivocally, the hostages are in our thoughts, and their return is an integral part of the success of this campaign – of course – alongside victory in this decisive war against the enemy and restoring security to all Israeli citizens,” he says.
Herzog pledges that “the best minds — thousands of Israelis, from the country’s leadership to every level of the security services –- will work with professionalism and dedication, every minute of the day, to fulfil our moral duty as a country – to bring them back home.”
He accuses Hamas of conducting a “psychological campaign” against Israel, and asks Israelis not to fall into their trap and spread unfounded rumors. Herzog also places a focus on the importance of unity between Jewish and Arab citizens.
“We must eradicate any incarnation of enmity, racism and violence towards different groups within us,” says Herzog, turning to Jewish viewers. “Remember that there are dozens of Arab citizens here who paid with their lives in the terrible massacre, and as part of the security forces and the IDF. Remember the mutual responsibility as displayed by the overwhelming majority of the Arab society in Israel.”
He concludes by praising Israel’s “unbreakable spirit,” calling it “the spirit of a storm which rose from ashes and destruction and is already blowing with all its might.”
“This spirit has revealed itself mightily, in thousands of heroic stories from the frontline and the home front,” says Herzog. “It blows through each outreached hand, in the exemplary Israeli volunteerism and mutual responsibility, seeking to strengthen, to embrace, to support. It blows in every corner of our remarkable country – every corner. It is an eternal spirit, passed on to us from the generations before us, a spirit which will continue to guide us from generation to generation.”
“This spirit is you, my sisters and brothers, the people of Israel. Israeli society is our true secret weapon.”
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