Herzog urges Israeli parties to soften tone to aid Diaspora

Israeli President Isaac Herzog told political leaders this week that domestic hostility has direct consequences for Jewish communities worldwide. He issued the warning during his consultations with parties regarding the formation of the next government.

During a meeting with representatives of Yisrael Beytenu at the President's Residence in Jerusalem on Wednesday, Herzog stated that political statements in Israel affect Diaspora Jews. He suggested that a less confrontational atmosphere could encourage aliyah, or immigration to Israel.

"We haven’t spoken about the Jewish people until now. I know you deal with this," Herzog told the delegation. "In the end, every word that goes out from here has a dramatic impact on our brothers and sisters in the Diaspora. And I ask myself whether the time has come for us to project something a little less hostile among ourselves, and more open and embracing, also with a view to the possibility of aliyah."

Herzog reiterated the point the following day during talks with Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party. He noted that the relationship between Israel and Jewish communities abroad receives insufficient attention in local political discussions.

"We receive a great many inquiries from Jews in the Diaspora," Herzog said. "Everything we do here affects the Jewish world, and it is an issue that does not come up enough in public discourse."

The president has previously promoted the Voice of the People initiative, an international forum designed to address antisemitism and political polarization. The group includes 150 council members, split equally among Israel, North America, and other regions. Participants developed proposals to strengthen cooperation across ideological and geographic lines.

In October, Herzog made similar remarks at a gathering in Budapest. He emphasized the need to listen to Diaspora Jews and acknowledged that decisions made in Israel have global repercussions for Jewish populations.