Israel won’t ‘stand idly by’ when Druze community is under attack, Herzog vows

Israel will not “stand idly by” when threats emerge from Syria, says President Isaac Herzog.

Speaking at the state memorial in Jerusalem for Zionist visionary Theodor Herzl, Herzog says that “Israel does not stand idly by when there is even the potential for a jihadist threat over the border.”

“Second, Israel does not stand idly by when our allies and family members of Israelis – the sons and daughters of the Druze community, an integral part of us – are under attack and in danger of a horrific massacre,” he continues.

He calls for Druze in Israel not to cross the border, after roughly 1,000 did so earlier today.

“Israel must act, and indeed is acting and will continue to act, until quiet and security are restored to our border,” he says.

He calls for the return of all hostages from Gaza, which he does at almost all his public appearances.

“This is not only a moral imperative but a sacred responsibility of a state to its citizens – to return them urgently to their homeland,” says Herzog. “Every last one.”