Lionel Errera — In your opinion, Mr. President, which Arab and non-Arab leaders have best understood the issues and nature of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?
Isaac Herzog — The dream of peace is deeply rooted in the DNA of the Jewish and Israeli people. It was voiced by the prophets of Israel thousands of years ago, most famously by Isaiah, who foresaw a future when “Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.” It was voiced in Israel’s Declaration of Independence, which states that “We extend our hand to all neighboring states and their peoples in an offer of peace and good neighborliness.” And it is voiced in the joy felt by our entire nation at the return home of our hostages from Gaza. We carry this longing for peace with us each and every day.
You ask me who best understood the challenges facing the region: President Donald Trump is the perfect example of a leader who has been able to think innovatively about a seemingly unsolvable problem. He engineered a diplomatic masterpiece with his unique ability to bring all the major stakeholders to the table and produce an agreement to free the hostages and end the war in Gaza. Under his leadership, the Middle East and the wider region can look forward to a brighter, more peaceful future of cooperation, friendship, and new partnerships.
This future will be driven by leaders in the Middle East who follow in the path of trailblazing Arab leaders who chose peace with Israel over war: President Anwar Sadat of Egypt in 1977, to whom Politique Internationale had awarded the Prize for Political Courage; His Majesty King Hussein of Jordan in 1994; and the leaders of the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco in 2020 with the Abraham Accords. These leaders all rejected rejectionism. They understood the reality that Israel is not going anywhere, and that peace and cooperation with Israel serve their peoples far better than endless conflict.
L. E. — Can the Palestinian question be resolved without Hamas? If so, how can it be excluded from the process?
I. H. — After the October 7th attacks, there can be no place for Hamas in the future of our region. This is a terrorist organization that slaughtered, raped, and kidnapped children, Holocaust survivors, and young people at a music festival. There cannot be any lasting peace with Hamas in the picture. President Trump’s 20-Point Peace Plan, which received the stamp of approval from the UN Security Council in a historic vote last November, is unequivocal about this. Hamas must be disarmed and removed from Gaza. Only then can we begin working towards a genuine peace+. This is a complex process, but with the visionary leadership of President Trump and the full engagement of the international community, we are hopeful that we will see significant progress towards this in the near future.
L. E. — Are you in favor of the two-state solution? What other type of entity do you think is conceivable?
I. H. — October 7th was a wake-up call for Israel. We saw the consequences of Gaza being run by the Hamas terrorist organization, which used its power not for peace or stability, but for the direct opposite: to build its war machine in preparation to murder, butcher, and rape innocent Israelis. After this massive national trauma for Israelis across the political spectrum, it’s very difficult to imagine a two-state solution. Many Israelis legitimately ask how it can be ensured that whoever runs a Palestinian state will not seek to attack us again.
I have advocated for peace for my entire life. The desire to live in peace and security with all our neighbors is a fundamental part of the Israeli psyche. The problem is that while extremist forces both near and far actively engage in terrorism and incite hatred, peace cannot be reached. Palestinian terror against Israel or Israelis undermines any possibility for a future of peace between our peoples. I stated this before the U.S. Congress three months before October 7th, and I repeat it now. While there is terror, there can be no peace. Despite these significant obstacles, I remain hopeful. I am encouraged by initiatives promoting people-to-people interactions between Israelis and Palestinians that we see on the ground. There must be much more intensive dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians away from the political arena and brainwashing that we see, for example, in the Palestinian media against Israelis.
L. E. — Is Gaza destined to become part of a future Palestinian state?
I. H. — First and foremost, as I already affirmed, Gaza must become a deradicalized terror-free zone that does not pose a threat to its neighbors, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2803. This is non-negotiable. Hamas must be removed and disarmed. I want to remind your readers that it is the Hamas terror organization that wrought disaster on the civilian population in Gaza. I strongly believe that the people of Gaza deserve a better future. We should remember the fear of living under an authoritarian terror regime. The humanitarian considerations and welfare of Gazan civilians must remain top priorities for all those stakeholders invested in creating a more peaceful and prosperous future.
Prime Minister Netanyahu has stated repeatedly that Israel does not want to retain long-term control over the Gaza Strip. Israel’s leadership has also been crystal clear that we will not enable another October 7th to occur or another terror organization to rise up on our borders, and we will ensure that the appropriate security measures are in place to guarantee this.
L. E. — In your view, do the Abraham Accords constitute an irreversible step on the road to peace in the Middle East? Do you think Saudi Arabia will join in the near future even if a Palestinian state is not established?
I. H. — The Abraham Accords have been transformative for the Middle East. They have brought enormous change to everybody’s lives, and the allies that signed the agreements, despite all the storms in the region, have kept these agreements going. A shining example is the United Arab Emirates. Led by my friend, President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, the UAE makes an exceptionally positive contribution to regional stability and prosperity. Israel’s relations with the UAE have remained steadfast during the challenges of the last two years, and we deeply appreciate the UAE’s role in promoting real peace in Gaza and the region, including through its active and effective leadership in improving the humanitarian situation for the people of Gaza.
My hope is that many other countries in the Middle East and beyond will take the step of joining this circle of peace, progress, and prosperity. Normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia in particular would be a major development for our region, and could lead to a much broader peace between Israel and the Muslim world. Peace between Saudi Arabia, the cradle of Islam, and Israel, the cradle of Judaism, would change the world forever.
I was honored to be the first Israeli Head of State to visit both the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. I sincerely hope that I will be the first Israeli Head of State to visit Saudi Arabia.
L. E. — Beyond the Abraham Accords, do you believe in the IMEC, the economic corridor which could bring a long-lasting peace and period of prosperity to the region?
I. H. — Very much so, yes. The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor initiative provides an opportunity for economic development and integration that will benefit billions of people around the world. Israel stands at the center of East and West, providing a vital link in this corridor. We can connect Australia and India through to Europe and beyond. We can connect and power Africa with solar energy. There is huge potential here to connect countries doing good across the world.
L. E. — Who are the main “sponsors” of terrorism in the Middle East?
I. H. — Iran is the epicenter of the axis of terror in the region and the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism. The Islamic Republic openly declares its goals to destroy the State of Israel, attack the free world, and export its extremist ideology around the globe.
To this end, Iran systematically built up over decades a network of terrorist proxies and military forces positioned to strike Israel from every angle – from Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza, the Houthis in Yemen, and militias in Syria and Iraq. Over the last two years, Iran and its terror proxies activated this network of terror to attack Israel relentlessly on seven different fronts. Israel’s precise and effective responses to these threats have severely weakened Tehran’s empire of evil in the region and improved the security reality in the region. However, we are not naïve. We are watching any attempts by Iran and its proxies to rebuild their terrorist capabilities.
Even after the successes of Operation “Rising Lion” and the impact of U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, we remain very vigilant.
Let me remind your readers: the threat of Iran goes far beyond Israel. It is a threat to the entire Middle East, Europe, and the United States. Its destructive ideology threatens peace and stability the world over. That’s why we have to be clear: Israel is on the front line in defense of the free world – in defense of Europe! – against Iranian terror.
L. E. — Does the new Syrian regime inspire confidence or mistrust in you? What role could it play in a future settlement?
I. H. — I give my full support to the diplomatic dialogue taking place between the Israeli and Syrian governments under the auspices of the U.S. administration. The introduction of mechanisms to facilitate communications and economic cooperation between Israel and Syria is particularly encouraging.
At the same time, there are still significant internal tensions in Syria between the various factions and there have been vicious attacks on minorities, including the Druze population. Israel has a significant Druze community, many of whom are closely tied to the Druze in Syria. We will continue to stand with our Druze brothers and sisters in the face of any threat.
L. E. — What will the map of the Middle East look like in 10 years’ time?
I. H. — I am confident that the circle of peace will expand further. At the same time, the forces of terror, extremism, and instability will gradually be defeated. This is a region that has been deeply scarred by war. However, the more we engage in people-to-people interactions across the Middle East, the clearer it becomes that the future can be one of peace rather than war.
Millions of Arabs living in the region are curious about Judaism, Israel, and our society. They’re interested in us. We’re intertwined with our neighbors. I believe the future of this region lies in dialogue between Jew and Muslim. I see an incredible phenomenon of Muslim leaders and Muslim activists coming from all over the world to meet us, pray with us, and talk to us.
When we talk to one another, there is a profound understanding that we share a common vision, despite the many threats we are facing. We are all children of Abraham. Strengthening this dialogue, even in the face of those who wish to undermine it, is key to creating a brighter future in the Middle East.
L. E. — To whom would you award the Prize for Political Courage to today?
I. H. — When I think about courage, the brave hostages and families of the hostages come to mind. I think of the hostages who survived and are now bravely speaking about their ordeal – of torture, sexual abuse, and starvation. I think of the wives, husbands, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, and friends who refused to give up on their loved ones and knocked on every door in every capital of the world demanding their release. I think of the devastation of the families whose loved ones came back in a coffin from Gaza. These are my heroes whose courage is unmatched.
When I think more specifically about political courage and leadership, I think of President Trump. His courageous leadership enabled the return of our hostages and the adoption of a UN Resolution which opens a new diplomatic path to a real “Day After” in Gaza and the region. These efforts deserve every recognition. In October last year, I announced that I will award him with the “Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor”, the highest civilian honor awarded by the State of Israel, and I look forward to presenting him with this in the near future.
L. E. — To what do you attribute the current surge in anti-Semitism around the world?
I. H. — I am deeply disturbed by the rapid rise in Jew hatred around the world. Never in my lifetime did I expect to see Jewish blood shed on Bondi Beach in Sydney or at a synagogue in Manchester on Yom Kippur. Murdering Jews just because they are Jews evokes the worst periods of human history, and we refuse to accept or normalize this horrific reality.
I am issuing an urgent call to action to leaders in all fields and in all parts of the world to act now in order to prevent the next catastrophe. The battle against antisemitism must be everyone’s battle, because while hatred always begins with the Jews, it never ends with the Jews. Combating this scourge requires very strong measures and decisive leadership at every level – law enforcement, the judiciary, and most importantly, education. It requires ordinary people rejecting lies and bias, and embracing diversity, humanity, and truth. This is the obligation of the Western world and all free nations.
