President Herzog Warns of Deep Divisions in Israel Ahead of Elections

At the Herzliya Conference hosted by the Institute for Policy and Strategy at Reichman University on May 13, 2026, Israeli President Isaac Herzog issued a stark warning about the internal divisions threatening the country. He described the current moment as a national emergency, emphasizing that "the cracks are breaking us apart from within." Herzog called for Israeli society to unite ahead of the upcoming elections, urging the rewriting of the "Israeli contract" to affirm freedom balanced with responsibility.

Herzog stressed that this emergency is not about erasing identities but about strengthening them within frameworks that allow all citizens to grow, change, and thrive together. He highlighted Israel's evolution from a small nation to a diverse society of millions undergoing social transformation. The key challenge, he said, is whether Israeli society will change collectively to build a stable, diverse Israeli identity.

Addressing the elections, Herzog underscored that voting is a peaceful means to resolve disputes and urged all citizens to participate and respect the results. He reminded the public that elections change governments, not the people, and called for civility: "Know how to win without crushing, lose without breaking, fight without hatred, and share without expelling others from our shared Israeli home."

Furthermore, Herzog emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law, warning against glorifying criminals even if they are seen as heroes by some. He concluded by affirming that without law, there can be no shared state, reinforcing the need for unity and respect amid political and social challenges.