Speaking at Yeshivat Mercaz HaRav in Jerusalem on Sunday, President Isaac Herzog addressed the celebrations taking place in honor of Jerusalem Day, as well as the clashes reported at a few flashpoints.
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"Israeli sovereignty over all of Jerusalem is just, moral, and deeply rooted," Herzog said.
Herzog opened his talk by saying that the Jewish people's connection to Jerusalem was "eternal and inseparable."
"Jerusalem is one, unique, and united. And entirely Israeli. Terrorism and threats have not deterred us and will not," Herzog said.
The president also warned that baseless hatred could bring down the capital of Israel: "We must battle hatred and divisiveness, and we must not shun those who think differently. Baseless hatred destroyed Jerusalem, and if we aren't careful, will destroy it again – and not only Jerusalem."
"We must all act responsibly. The good of our people and the state of Israel comes before everything else, love of Israel above all. In a diverse, democratic, vibrant world like ours, it is certainly permissible to criticize, and even welcome," he said.
Herzog continued: "We must remember that no one asked [the people] who liberated Jerusalem and those who united it in those glorious, heroic, and sacred moments, as they were giving their lives for that great day 55 years ago, what their political opinions were, whether they were observant or not, or observant to what degree."
Traditionally, the prime minister participates in the Jerusalem Day event at Yeshivat Mercaz HaRav. However, this year, the yeshiva decided not to invite Prime Minister Naftali Bennett to speak. Herzog opted to take part in the event despite the snub for Bennett.
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