Many challenges await President Yitzhak Herzog in his second year at the Israeli presidential residence, including the Knesset elections and the decision on who to impose on the 37th government.
For the first time in his tenure, Herzog will be required to address the tangled and complex issue immediately at the end of the election campaign, which appears to be no less tumultuous than its predecessors.
Representatives of the factions will arrive at the Mishkan, and the president will have to decide on the identity of the candidate on whom he will entrust the work of assembling the government.
Herzog, who as president presides over an apolitical approach, will have to use all his abilities and experience during the long days of consultations he faces with faction representatives after the election.
With the inauguration of Yair Lapid as Prime Minister of the transition, President Herzog said that "fifth elections in such a short period are very unhealthy for a country. His position on the frequent elections in Israel.
Thus, if there is no clear decision the day after the November election, it is estimated that Herzog will work to locate connection points between the various parties to prevent another round of elections.
Personal connections.
With the King of Jordan, Photo: Reuters
The overarching goal: a respectful discourse
Another important area that the president will deal with in the coming year is the rift in Israeli society, to which Herzog attaches great significance.
Tensions and hostility at times between the various sectors in the country will necessitate his active intervention, and in this regard the President expects hard work to continue throughout his seven years in office.
The overarching goal that guides Herzog is to change the discourse in society and make it moderate and respectful.
On the issue of Israel's foreign policy, the president will also be faced with tasks and challenges, which he will carry out in agreement and coordination with the government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Herzog will work to deepen ties and partnerships with US President Joe Biden and the US administration on issues related to our region, and he is expected to meet with heads of state to strengthen Israel's status in the international community.
During his second year as President Herzog he will expand his activities on the climate crisis, including cooperation with other countries in our region.
Another issue that Herzog intends to promote is the outline of pardons, as part of his pardon policy aimed primarily at Ethiopians and soldiers, to give them another opportunity for successful integration into society.
Mutual respect.
Meets Turkish President, Photo: AFP
Active, valued, unifying
The first year of President Yitzhak Herzog's tenure was characterized by extensive and extensive activity in a variety of areas close to his heart, along with a valuable political tier especially with leaders in our region, while gaining his experience and much appreciation for him to serve as a calming and unifying factor.
Since taking office, the president has been active in the political field, and has even led to the renewal of relations with Turkey.
Last March, Herzog set out for a historic meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at his palace in Ankara to restore relations between the two countries.
The two individuals have held talks that have led to joint activities between the two countries, and they are in continuous contact based on mutual respect.
Herzog also worked to free the Oknin couple arrested in Turkey.
Herzog's approach, which he brought to the presidential residence, is one of moderation alongside practicality, tolerance mixed with humanity and good spirit, and it gives him the status of an accepted figure among leaders who are willing to listen to his advice and positions.
Herzog made a historic state visit to Jordan and established personal ties with King Abdullah II, was the first president to visit the United Arab Emirates, and also held several talks with Palestinian Authority President Abu Mazen.
Remember ancestral heritage.
In the Cave of the Patriarchs, Photo: Meir Alipur
Renewed energies for the Tabernacle
Herzog, who began his term as president at the age of only 60, brought renewed energy into the presidential residence and appeared to have been born into office.
During his tenure he held many tours, opened the school year on Mount Bracha in Samaria, Bnei Brak and Modi'in, visited Lod, Beit Shemesh, Elkana and Acre, and in Kfar Qassem he apologized on behalf of the State of Israel for the massacre in 1956.
One of the important issues for President Herzog is the field of welfare and social activity.
Among other things, he visited a large number of hospitals, held an event at the President's House to mark Awareness Day for the disappearance of Yemeni, Eastern and Balkan children, set up a climate forum and led the "Think Well" campaign to change the discourse on social media.
The president's main goal is to create a "space of agreement," as he puts it, on the need and necessity for deepening the common and unifying in Israeli society.
His first year as president, illustrated that Herzog remembers well the legacy of his ancestors - his grandfather Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac Halevi Herzog, who was the Chief Rabbi of Israel, and his father Chaim Herzog, the sixth President of the State of Israel - and did not shy away from expressing positions that are sometimes out of consensus.
Such was, for example, his decision to light a Hanukkah candle in the Cave of the Patriarchs with the participation of the heads of the settlement, despite harsh criticism from MKs from Meretz and the joint list and condemnation of the PA.
Another key point in his first year as president is the social involvement of his wife, Michal Herzog, who is involved in the field of mental health and makes sure to respect her presence and words that reinforce events and ceremonies that are mostly related to welfare and society.
Were we wrong?
Fixed!
If you found an error in the article, we would love for you to share it with us