Herzog Honors Police, Warns of Rising Violence and Crime

President Isaac Herzog hosted a ceremony on Sunday, September 6, to honor outstanding members of the Israel Police at the President's Residence. He presented certificates of appreciation to thirty distinguished officers and personnel selected by the police for their dedication and contributions to public safety.

During the ceremony, Herzog specifically addressed the events of October 7, acknowledging the chaos and system failures that occurred. He praised the police for their "impressive" response, noting they were the first to arrive, engage, and save many lives, ultimately preventing a far greater catastrophe. He also acknowledged the heavy price paid by the police, with the loss of officers, stating, "Without a police force, there is no state, and without an excellent police force, there is no flourishing state."

Herzog expressed concern over rising crime and violence in Israeli society, stating that "red lines have long been crossed." Ahead of the Hebrew New Year and Yom Kippur, he called for introspection on how the country reached a point where "the number of murder victims in our country is unbelievable," emphasizing that "blood in our country has become cheap." He urged that everything possible be done to stop this, advocating for the police to be equipped with necessary tools and authority. He called on the Knesset to immediately pass spyware legislation and for the government to provide the police with more technological and operational resources, and to consider administrative measures against criminal organizations deemed terrorist.

The President also highlighted the impact of gang wars on innocent civilians, including women and children in the Arab community, and the "civil terrorism" of "khuwwa" (protection rackets) threatening business owners. He extended the issue of crime to the West Bank, citing "anarchic elements" in the Judea and Samaria hills targeting Israeli sovereignty. Herzog stressed that combating violence requires a "joint effort" across all sectors and strong coordination.

He thanked U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee for his "firm stance" and for personally documenting the situation on the ground, calling his input from a "sincere friend" important. Herzog concluded by stating that as Israel grows and changes, the police must evolve in parallel, receiving the resources needed to ensure society can change safely and continue to flourish, especially during election periods.