Israel leads moral front as Vatican acknowledges terror, rejects appeasement, urges unity against hatred worldwide.
Herzog–Vatican Call Signals Moral Clarity After Sydney Terror
President Isaac Herzog spoke by phone Wednesday with Pope Leo XIV, delivering a message that resonated far beyond diplomatic protocol—a united stand against surging global antisemitism and terror.
On behalf of the State of Israel, President Herzog extended warm greetings to the Pope and to Christian communities worldwide ahead of Christmas, underscoring Israel’s respect for faith, coexistence, and shared moral responsibility.
According to the President’s Office, the two leaders addressed the alarming rise in antisemitism, explicitly referencing the devastating terrorist attack against Jews in Sydney. The conversation emphasized the urgent need to confront hatred in all its forms, rather than excuse or relativize it under political slogans.
President Herzog highlighted the strategic and spiritual importance of Israel’s relationship with the Holy See, reaffirming Israel’s role as the only country in the Middle East where Christian life is protected, flourishing, and institutionally respected. He expressed pride in Israel’s Christian communities, whose leaders will soon gather for a festive annual meeting at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem—a reality unimaginable in territories controlled by extremist or terror-aligned forces.
The call stood in sharp contrast to voices elsewhere that sanitize terrorism, reward incitement, or rush to grant political legitimacy without accountability. While Israel confronts violence and antisemitism directly, others too often appease or remain silent—fueling the very hatred they claim to oppose.
Both President Herzog and Pope Leo XIV expressed hope for peace and a brighter future in the coming year, grounded not in denial or moral equivalence, but in truth, responsibility, and the defense of innocent life.
This exchange sends a clear signal: the fight against antisemitism is not a Jewish issue alone—it is a civilizational one. And in that fight, Israel stands firm, principled, and aligned with those willing to confront terror honestly.
