Israel’s greatest existential threat is from within, Herzog tells Jewish Federations

Speaking in Tel Aviv before about 2,000 delegates of the Jewish Federations of North America, President Isaac Herzog advocated dialogue, but stopped short of acknowledging protests outside the venue over Israel’s controversial judicial overhaul by hundreds of demonstrators.

Herzog, who did say in his speech that “there is no greater existential threat to our people than the one that comes from within,” followed remarks by several dignitaries, including Doron Almog, chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel, and Julie Platt, chair of the Board of Trustees of the Jewish Federations of North America, who did address the overhaul and protests.

“To the protesters outside: We see you, we hear you and we are inspired by your love for Israel,” Platt said in her opening comments at the JFNA General Assembly at the Expo Tel Aviv convention center, adding that the debate about the overhaul is proof of “how central Israel is to all of our lives.” READ MORE