Herzog slams Turkish FM's comments that Israel is 'burden on the world'

Israeli President Isaac Herzog fiercely condemned comments made by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who described Israelis as a "burden on the world." Herzog responded forcefully, asserting that Israel is, in fact, a "blessing to the world."

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Israel is here to stay, and it is a blessing to the world.

Speaking at an event marking the anniversary of Theodor Herzl's death, Herzog stated, "Israel stands at the forefront against the terrorism threatening the entire world. Around the world, Israeli innovations and inventions bring blessings to billions of people every day." He directly addressed Fidan's remarks, calling them "terrible antisemitic" and reaffirming Israel's commitment to global well-being and security.

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Israel stands at the forefront against the terrorism threatening the entire world. Around the world, Israeli innovations and inventions bring blessings to billions of people every day.

Fidan had claimed that Israel was a problem for the entire world, stating, "These people have become a burden that humanity can no longer bear." Herzog's rebuttal emphasized Israel's role in combating terrorism and its contributions through technological advancements. He also used the occasion to call for national unity among Israelis ahead of upcoming elections, urging citizens to focus on building a shared future.

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Israel is not only Turkey’s problem, and it is not only President [Recep Tayyip] Erdogan’s problem. These people have become a burden that humanity can no longer bear. The human conscience cannot bear it, political systems cannot sustain it, and economic systems cannot sustain it either.

Herzog invoked Herzl's vision, stressing that true freedom requires responsibility and that Israel's strength lies in its ability to renew itself. He highlighted Israel's resilience, particularly during challenging times when it must "fight for its existence," asserting that the nation continues to build and contribute to humanity, fighting for "enlightenment and humanity."

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Elections are our ability to change the reality in which we live, through arguments, through debate and disagreement, but beneath them there must be the knowledge that we are building a shared tomorrow here. Our descendants will not remember the arguments we waged. They will live within what we choose to build.