President Isaac Herzog sent his greetings this morning (Tuesday) to participants in the 25th National Conference of the Bnei Akiva movement, which opened at Or Etzion in Merkaz Shapira. In his remarks, he called for internal unity and collective responsibility in facing the current challenges confronting Israeli society.<\/p>\n
The Heroism of the Movement\u2019s Alumni<\/strong> The president emphasized the importance of balancing Jewish and democratic values: \u201cThe People of Israel in Their Land Will Not Surrender \u2013 They Will Prevail\u201d<\/strong> The prime minister also honored the members of Bnei Akiva who have fallen in this difficult war: \u201cAn Overwhelming Majority Rejects Calls for Civil War\u201d<\/strong> \u201cThere is an overwhelming majority in the public that is deeply repelled by disturbing calls \u2013 for civil war, for disobedience to the law, and for defying court rulings,\u201d Herzog said. He added, \u201cThere is also a clear majority who agree that the relationship between the branches of government needs to be improved and anchored in broad agreements and foundational legislation. The only way to achieve this is through listening, partnership, and reaching agreements.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In his greeting to the 25th National Conference of the Bnei Akiva movement, President Herzog called for national unity and a joint response to the challenges of our time: \u201cWe must shape together the character of our country \u2013 both its Jewish and democratic spirit.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":19777,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,129,85,6],"tags":[2210,4235,1575,4236,2849,3491,1514,2049,2633,4204,2813],"class_list":["post-19775","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-culture","category-judaism","category-positive-moment","category-security","tag-benjamin-netanyahu","tag-bnei-akiva","tag-herzog","tag-idf-soldiers","tag-israeli-society","tag-national-unity","tag-october-7","tag-president-of-israel","tag-prime-minister","tag-religious-zionism","tag-war"],"yoast_head":"\n
\nIn a recorded message sent to the conference, Herzog praised Bnei Akiva for its long-standing contribution to Israeli society. He also acknowledged the role of religious Zionism during the ongoing war and paid tribute to the many alumni of the movement who have been killed or wounded:
\n\u201cWe have paid a heavy price as a nation \u2013 as have religious Zionism and Bnei Akiva. Many alumni have fallen in battle. Many have performed acts of heroism.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u201cWe must stand together to shape and strengthen the character of our state \u2013 its Jewish spirit and its democratic spirit. I call on all of us, especially you, to unite and continue asking ourselves what more each of us can do for the people, the Torah, and the land.\u201d
\nHe concluded with a prayer for the return of the hostages, the healing of the wounded, and the safety of IDF soldiers:
\n\u201cI renew my call to do everything possible to bring them home urgently \u2013 every last one of them.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also addressed the Bnei Akiva members, saying:
\n\u201cThis year, there is something more \u2013 and that something is spirit. The Jewish spirit, the Zionist spirit, the spirit that does not surrender to the challenges of the time, the spirit that says \u2018the eternity of Israel comes first.\u2019 You pass that spirit on to those who go through your institutions \u2013 and they, in turn, carry it with them on the battlefield.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u201cThis is the power of Israel\u2019s renewal. The People of Israel in their land \u2013 they will not give it up, they will not surrender, they will prevail.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nIt is worth recalling that about a week ago, during a swearing-in ceremony for new judges at the President\u2019s Residence, President Herzog addressed the internal tensions facing the country and called for a unifying public discourse and agreements between the branches of government.<\/p>\n