President Herzog Calls for Religion's Role in Resolving Jewish-Arab Conflict

President Isaac Herzog stated on Thursday that religion should play a central role in resolving the Jewish-Arab conflict. He made these remarks at a convention of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Haifa, attended by approximately one thousand people, including religious leaders, Knesset members, ambassadors, and international guests.

"The religious element is, to some extent, at the root of the conflict, but it must also be a central component of its resolution," Herzog said. He addressed the notion that the Jewish-Arab conflict is fundamentally religious, expressing reservations. "Some argue that the Jewish-Arab conflict is primarily religious, but I believe it is much more than that. I think this interpretation is very superficial and extreme."

Herzog praised the Ahmadiyya Community for its efforts in promoting interfaith dialogue and shared living, calling them a "true bridge." He noted that the community's centennial in Haifa and Israel is approaching in two years and thanked its spiritual leader in Israel, Amir Muhammad Sharif Odeh, for his year-round efforts towards coexistence.

The Ahmadiyya Community, founded in India in 1889, emphasizes peace, tolerance, and interfaith dialogue. Its Israeli center is in Haifa's Kababir neighborhood. Amir Muhammad Sharif Odeh spoke about the Ahmadiyya interpretation of Islam, stressing that faith should not be imposed on others and that the community's core message is "love for all, hatred for none." He argued that peace built solely on power is temporary, while lasting peace requires trust, love, and justice, even towards perceived enemies.

Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav also highlighted the city's successful coexistence, stating, "Many places talk about shared living, and some places live it. Haifa is such a place." He lamented that many decision-makers do not recognize this, while Haifa's diverse population of Jews, Muslims, Christians, Druze, and Baháʼís live together, considering the city their shared home. Yahav described the Ahmadiyya Community as a model of practical coexistence, emanating a message of peace, tolerance, and brotherhood from Kababir for years.

Attendees included Knesset members Yoav Segalovitz, Gilad Kariv, and Tatiana Mazarsky, former Haifa Mayor Amram Mitzna, Rabbi Adina Bar-Shalom, Deputy State Attorney Eitan Lederer, and various international dignitaries.