Herzog slams settler violence as ‘illegal and immoral,’ swipes at far-right minister

26 June 2023, 4:54 pm

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President Isaac Herzog hosts an event recognizing outstanding soldiers as part of Israel's 75th Independence Day celebrations, at the President's Residence in Jerusalem, April 26, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

President Isaac Herzog condemns settler rioting in Palestinian towns following a deadly terror attack last week.

“I unequivocally condemn this violence. These acts are illegal and immoral,” he says at an awards ceremony for employees of the Shin Bet security agency.

He also appears to rebuke far-right minister Orit Strock after she likened security chiefs to rebellious Russian mercenaries due to a joint letter they issued denouncing the settler violence as “terror” — a missive which Herzog says he backs.

“The unrestrained tongue-lashing toward members of the security services and commanders cannot become a daily occurrence. We must all condemn it forcefully,” the president adds.