Newsletter
Newsletter Support JNS

Herzog receives suspicious package in London

Security officials have assessed in recent weeks that Iran, together with Hamas, may seek to target official Israeli assets abroad.

President Isaac Herzog at his official residence in Jerusalem on May 11, 2025. Photo by Oren Ben Hakoon/Flash90.
President Isaac Herzog at his official residence in Jerusalem on May 11, 2025. Photo by Oren Ben Hakoon/Flash90.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog received a suspicious package during his visit to London on Thursday.

British and Israeli security personnel handled the suspicious object, the head of state’s office said. No additional information was given.

Since the war with Iran in June, and particularly in recent weeks, Israeli security officials have assessed that Tehran, together with Hamas, may seek to target official Israeli assets abroad, Ynet reported on Thursday.

In response, the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) has deployed what it described as “unique technological capabilities” to enhance protection around Israeli diplomatic missions, delegations and institutions, Ynet said.

The security measures, some of which are being used abroad for the first time, include overt and covert reinforcements carried out in cooperation with local security forces, according to the report.

Herzog and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer met at 10 Downing Street in London on Wednesday. Their meeting was only announced on the second day of Herzog’s visit, conducted at the invitation of the Jewish community.

Both men said that it was a tense exchange, with Herzog opposing the U.K. government’s stance on Israel and Starmer slamming the Jewish state over the war against Hamas and Tuesday’s strike on terrorists in Qatar.

Speaking at Chatham House, a London-based think tank, directly after the meeting, Herzog described it as difficult, The Guardian reported.

“It was a meeting between allies, but it was a tough meeting,” he said. “Things were said that were tough and strong, and clearly we can argue, because when allies meet, they can argue. We are both democracies. We both understand the threat from the jihadists.”

See more from JNS Staff
Brian Romick said that as lead negotiator with Iran, U.S. Vice President JD Vance “cannot be lashing out at Israel critics of the Iran deal he is trying to promote.”
“We must find new ways to engage the next generation, especially at this critical moment for Jews globally,” Bernstein said.
“At a time when rabbinical schools across North America have faced significant enrollment challenges, we recognize that meeting the needs of the next generation of Jewish leaders requires ongoing reflection, adaptation and investment,” said Andrew Rehfeld of Hebrew Union College.
A new Pew Research Center survey found Americans now view Israelis and Palestinians nearly equally favorably overall, with younger adults and Democrats expressing significantly stronger support for Palestinians than for Israelis.
University of Haifa researcher Shlomit Lir told JNS that volunteer editors described harassment, fear of sanctions and emotional exhaustion after contributing to articles about Israel and Jewish topics following Oct. 7.
Richard John Franklin, 65, is accused of making the threat in the office of a state representative, where he went to address an issue related to “outstanding taxes.”