Herzog's comments reflect a broader emphasis throughout his presidency on strengthening ties between Israel and Jewish communities abroad.
Follow us on GooglePresident Isaac Herzog warned during his political consultations this week that hostilities within Israel have far-reaching consequences for Jewish communities around the world, calling for a more welcoming and inclusive public discourse during consultations with political parties over who should form the next government.
Speaking with representatives of Yisrael Beytenu at the President's Residence in Jerusalem on Wednesday, Herzog stressed that political statements in Israel significantly affect Diaspora Jews and raised the possibility that a less confrontational political atmosphere could also encourage aliyah.
"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 returned to the issue during his consultations with representatives of Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party on Thursday, emphasizing that the relationship between Israel and Jewish communities abroad receives insufficient attention in Israeli 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."
Herzog's efforts to strengthen Israel-Diaspora relations
Herzog's comments reflect a broader emphasis throughout his presidency on strengthening ties between Israel and Jewish communities abroad while addressing political polarization within the Jewish world.
The president has promoted the Voice of the People initiative, an international forum bringing together Jewish representatives from Israel and abroad to confront challenges including antisemitism, political polarization, Jewish identity, and Israel-Diaspora relations.
The initiative brought together 150 council members, divided equally among Israel, North America, and other parts of the world. Participants developed proposals to address divisions within Jewish communities and strengthen cooperation across ideological and geographic boundaries.
At a gathering in Budapest in October, Herzog similarly emphasized the importance of listening to Diaspora Jews and recognizing that statements and decisions made in Israel have consequences for Jewish communities worldwide.
Follow us on GoogleSource: The Jerusalem Post · SHIR PERETS
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