Herzog: "Religion must be a central component in resolving the conflict"

President Isaac Herzog stated that religion should play a central role in resolving the Jewish-Arab conflict, but distanced himself from the view that the conflict is essentially religious. Herzog spoke at the Ahmadiyya Muslim community gathering in Haifa, attended by about a thousand people, including religious leaders, Knesset members, and ambassadors.

President Isaac Herzog said this evening (Thursday) that religion should play a central role in resolving the Jewish-Arab conflict. Herzog spoke at the Ahmadiyya Muslim community gathering in Haifa, attended by about a thousand people, including religious leaders, Knesset members, ambassadors, and guests from abroad. The president addressed the view that the Jewish-Arab conflict is essentially a religious conflict and distanced himself from it: "There are those who argue that the Jewish-Arab conflict stands at its core on a religious matter, but I think it is far beyond that. I think this interpretation is very superficial and extreme." Herzog praised the Ahmadiyya community and its activities promoting interfaith dialogue and coexistence, calling it "a true bridge." The leader of the community in Israel, Amir Muhammad Sharif Odeh, called for sustainable peace built through trust, love, and justice. Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav said Haifa is "the shared home of everyone" and described the Ahmadiyya community as "a model of coexistence."