On the eve of Tisha B’Av, President Yitzhak Herzog issued a stark plea for restraint, urging Israelis to halt political infighting and learn from history before deepening national fractures.
Jerusalem — On the eve of Tisha B’Av, the solemn day marking the destruction of the First and Second Temples, President Yitzhak Herzog delivered a pointed and urgent message to the nation: Israel must pull back from the brink of destructive internal strife.
Referencing the government’s recent decision to delay debate over dismissing the Attorney General “to avoid controversy before Tisha B’Av,” Herzog warned that unity must extend far beyond a single day of restraint.
“There is no obligation to increase controversy among the people after Tisha B’Av,” Herzog declared. “The day of destruction should not be an isolated island of moderation, but a time for lessons, soul‑searching, and change—expressed every day of the year.”
Opposition to Attorney General Dismissal
Reiterating his firm opposition to the dismissal process, Herzog condemned threats that political battles would resume immediately after the fast day:
“Those who threaten that every Tisha B’Av has the day after Tisha B’Av have not drawn any historical lessons.”
Lessons From the Past
Herzog linked the current crisis to the 20th anniversary of the 2005 Gaza Disengagement, warning that the nation had still not learned how to listen to the pain of those who felt abandoned and ignored.
“It is critical that we learn from the mistakes that led a large public to feel no one was listening to them,” he said. “It is time to rebuild the bridges between us.”
A Call to Halt the Cycle of Division
The president cautioned against actions that could ignite a fresh wave of national hatred:
“Before another decision rocks the Jewish and democratic ship… before another match is thrown into the barrel of explosives… before another wave of gratuitous hatred, mutual attacks, boycotts, and threats of violence—we must stop! We must show national responsibility and protect our common home.”
An Anchor of Hope
Expressing deep concern over Israel’s political and social climate, Herzog concluded with an appeal to shared responsibility:
“We are all looking for an anchor of hope. It cannot be that even in this difficult hour there are those who continue to add fuel to the fire.”
Herzog’s remarks came as political tensions mount ahead of the postponed Attorney General dismissal debate—now scheduled to return to the Knesset floor on Monday.
