Herzog says IDF’s moral standing paramount, pans elected officials for stirring up Sde Teiman break-in

As Israel’s senior leadership weighs in on the growing political fight, President Isaac Herzog writes on X that “the morality of the IDF and its soldiers has always been our pride, toward ourselves and toward the family of nations and international law.”

“This morality has stood and is being tested even in the face of cruel enemies, including the cursed Nukhba terrorists, hatred of whom is surely understandable and justified,” says the president. “Let us not forget that our enemies try to persecute us again and again, including in the international legal arena – the commanders, the fighters, and the elected officials. It is forbidden in any way to give them grounds against the IDF and the State of Israel.”

Herzog stresses that “breaking into a military base by civilians, and certainly when it is done with the encouragement and involvement of elected officials, is a serious, dangerous, illegal and irresponsible act, which first and foremost harms us as a people and as a country.”

Herzog calls on elected officials “to show leadership – to relax and calm down.”

He expresses confidence that investigations will get to the truth. “I trust our IDF, its commanders and soldiers to act accordingly,” Herzog says.

He calls on the public to support soldiers and security forces as they fight a difficult war. “The IDF is fulfilling its role,” says the president. “We are at war and it is important to remember this all the time.”