President Isaac Herzog emphasized the historic challenges facing the Jewish people and Israel’s commitment to supporting bereaved families and securing the return of hostages, speaking at the 22nd Jerusalem Conference of the Sheva Media Group on Monday.
“Michal and I have met with over a thousand bereaved families this year. The people of Israel are extraordinary—diverse, fascinating—and each family has its own story. I bow my head in remembrance every single day,” Herzog said.
“As a nation, the issue that weighs on us most heavily is that of the hostages. The pain is immense, and I know that all of Israel was in deep, national mourning when we learned of the heinous murder of the Bibas family and Oded Lifshitz. At the same time, we long for, rejoice and weep as we see hostages returning home—they are our brothers and sisters,” the president continued.
Herzog stressed the moral duty to ensure all captives are brought home and called for national unity, dialogue and mutual respect, echoing the pleas of bereaved and hostage families.