“Kahanism must be removed from the government”
On Saturday afternoon, a sharp and unprecedented confrontation broke out between President Isaac Herzog and protesters outside his residence. The protesters, who constantly interrupted him, accused him of not doing enough to bring about change. Herzog called for unity in Israeli society, and when asked whether this unity includes ministers such as the Minister of National Security and Otzma Yehudit leader Itamar Ben-Gvir, he replied: “On the contrary, Kahanism (messianic extremism) must certainly be removed from the government.”
Protesters criticized him for not supporting the fight for the return of the hostages, to which he responded: “We meet with the hostage families and the bereaved every day. They are simply wrong.” Herzog also expressed his faith in the State of Israel, Israeli society and Israeli democracy, and assured that “Israeli democracy will prevail.”
President Herzog, who has four years left in his term, also stated: “If I see a threat to Israeli democracy, I will take the initiative.”
In November 2022, after the last elections and before the formation of Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, Herzog was recorded discussing Ben-Gvir with members of the Shas party during consultations at the president’s residence. Herzog remarked, “You have a partner the whole world is worried about,” referring to Ben-Gvir. A Shas member responded, “However, he has moderated.”
Herzog presented to Shas representatives the concerns he had received regarding Ben-Gvir’s positions, mentioning: “There is an issue that I have not addressed because I do not want to embarrass anyone, but you will have a problem with the Temple Mount. It is a critical issue. You have a partner that the whole world around us fears. I told him that too. Between you and me, this is really not for publication. I do not want to cause trouble. You have the responsibility to take care of it.”
