Isaac Herzog is set to become Israel’s 11th president after winning Wednesday’s election against Miriam Peretz, in a secret ballot among the country’s 120 lawmakers.
Eighty-seven lawmakers voted for Herzog, while 27 voted for Peretz. He will officially replace outgoing President Reuven Rivlin next month, with his seven-year term beginning on July 9.
“I plan to be everyone’s president,” Herzog said after the vote. “To listen to any position and listen to any person.” He stressed the importance of building “bridges of agreements … within us and with our brothers and sisters in the Diaspora.”
According to Herzog, “the challenges are great and must not be underestimated. It is essential to tend to the bleeding wounds in our society; we must defend Israel’s international standing and its good name among the nations; combat antisemitism and hatred of Israel; protect the pillars of our democracy.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Isaac Herzog on his election as Israel’s next president.
“I wish him great success on behalf of all Israel’s citizens. I thank Miriam Peretz for her honorable candidacy and I am convinced that she will continue to contribute to Israeli society, as she has done all her life.”
Netanyahu lauded Herzog for representing Israel “in a manner that arouses respect and even admiration around the world and also within the country” and said that he is “certain that he will continue exactly in this way.”
Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid congratulated Herzog on his victory, describing him as “a worthy and wonderful man who is always focused on the good of the country and the Jewish people.” He also thanked Miriam Peretz, who he said “will forever be the president of the hearts of our people.”
Defense Minister Benny Gantz also extended his congratulations to Isaac Herzog on being elected president. “I have no doubt that you will work to bring love and unity to the citizens of Israel, as well as helping strengthen Israel’s security, and to strengthen ties with our brothers in the Diaspora. And a big thank you from the bottom of my heart to Miriam Peretz, for her dignified and inspiring struggle.”
