In the video: Herzog: "We must not return to the discourse of October 6, we must hold back with the political campaigns"24.12.23/AP
Israeli President Isaac Herzog gave an unusual speech to the Israeli public on Sunday evening, in which he criticized the statements made by politicians and the "internal struggles" they are waging in the shadow of the war: "I turn to our leadership and demand that they stop. Be responsible, for the sake of our soldiers at the front, for their safety and security. Hold back with the political campaigns and messages," he urged. "The enemy is just waiting for us to start fighting with each other. He sees the confrontations, the ego struggles over the day before and before he celebrates every time the disagreement divides us." Herzog, whose remarks come after political statements by members of the government, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, refrained from naming the politicians.
"Let's stop the internal struggles during the difficult campaign, there must be disagreement and criticism, but there is a way to argue," Herzog said. This is the time to strengthen the home front and the front with small victories of adding goodness and mutual responsibility."
Herzog backed the military leadership and fighters in the Gaza Strip: "The soldiers and their commanders sacrifice their lives for the sake of the return of the abductees and the security of the state. The General Staff and the Chief of Staff are leading with determined and professional responsibility."
Our sons and daughters fight with supreme heroism in alleys, shafts and tunnels. They bring results and achievements. They fight valiantly to meet both goals - to defeat a bitter and cruel enemy and to bring home the hostages," Herzog continued.
Speech by President Isaac Herzog. November 1, 2023/Screenshot, GPO
The president's remarks follow an exchange of accusations between Economy Minister Nir Barkat and Minister and member of the limited war cabinet, Benny Gantz.
Barkat criticized the policy of the cabinet and the prime minister, which he called "too nice and considerate."
"I'm worried because we're too nice and we're too considerate, and the bottom line is that our soldiers and fighters are taking too many risks, and we're paying a heavy price," Barkat said before entering a cabinet meeting held at the Kirya base in Tel Aviv. "Even when we are pressured by our best friends in the world, the role of the Israeli government is to do the right thing to withstand these pressures and not to be overly considerate and to be considerate mainly of our fighters. This is the most important interest for the State of Israel, and we must not give up fighting.
Barkat continued his attack on government policy during the cabinet meeting, saying during the security review: "We endanger soldiers unnecessarily. Leadership is tested by its ability to withstand pressure, and unfortunately this cabinet does not withstand the pressure. The number of air force bombings dropped dramatically. Soldiers are sent to booby-trapped structures like ducks." Netanyahu rejected the remarks, saying: "There are operational considerations. Just because you say it over and over again won't make it right."
Hours later, Gantz, whose party ministers were not present, declared that he expected his cabinet colleagues to "act responsibly in their statements, and not make unsubstantiated statements" that he claimed undermined the resilience of Israeli society and the families of fighters.
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