Photo credit: Piotr Drabik
Jeruslem: Isaac Herzog was today elected Israel’s 11th president, securing 87 out of Knesset’s 120 votes. He is a former Labor party chief and son of country’s 6th president, late Chaim Herzog. He defeated educator Miriam Peretz in the presidential election. After his elections, he said he’ll work to ‘build bridges’ within Israeli society and with diaspora.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in his congratulatory message said President -elect Isaac Herzog was continuing in the glorious tradition of his father. Paying tributes to the late President Chaim Herzog, Netanyahu said he represented Israel in a way that inspired respect, even admiration, around the world and within the country. “I am certain, Bougie, that you will continue precisely in this manner. On behalf of myself, the Government of Israel and – I am certain – all citizens of Israel, I would like to wish you success,” the Prime Minister said. He also congratulated Peretz, who he referred to as “our friend”, for an “honorable race”. He added: “There were two worthy candidates here and I think that we can all welcome the choice and we are all certain that there will be something important and good for the State of Israel here in the Herzog family tradition…”
Also read: Opposition strives to unite as Israel explores prospects of moving into post Netanyahu era
Meanwhile, hours before the midnight deadline, the Opposition parties were still struggling to forge unity among themselves to lead Israel to a post-Netanyahu era. It may be mentioned that Netanyahu is Israel’s longest serving Prime Minister. However following his failure to prove majority, President Reuven Rivlin had tasked Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid with coalescing a coalition by midnight Wednesday June 2, 2021 that could form a government.
Lapid was still struggling to close gaps with the right-wing New Hope and Yamina parties and with the Islamist R’aam party before midnight, since several contentious issues were coming on the way of striking the deal with them, according to a report by the Times of Israel.
On Tuesday afternoon, Yamina No. 2 Ayelet Shaked reportedly continued to demand spot on the Judicial Selection Committee and threatened to block the formation of the new government if she does not get it. Ra’am too is demanding to various concessions for Israel’s Arab community that the right-wing flank of the potential coalition finds difficult to accept.
The change bloc parties led by Yesh Atid’s Lapid have been hoping to overcome their major ideological gaps to end Israel’s protracted political deadlock and replace Netanyahu.
In the meantime, US President Joe Biden while congratulating the new President recalled that throughout his career, President-elect Herzog had demonstrated his unwavering commitment to strengthening Israel’s security, advancing dialogue, and building bridges across the global Jewish community. “I am confident that under his presidency, the partnership between Israel and the United States will continue to grow and deepen,” he said, and added that he was also looking forward to welcoming outgoing President Rivlin to Washington in the weeks ahead “to honor his dedication to the enduring partnership and the close friendship between our two nations”.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, in his message, while referring to the “friendly relations” between the two countries, hoped that Hergoz’s work as head of state will contribute to the further development of multifaceted and constructive bilateral cooperation, including interaction in international affairs. “This undoubtedly meets our peoples’ fundamental interests,” Putin said.
– global bihari bureau
