Israeli President Isaac Herzog addressed a wide range of explosive issues facing the country Wednesday, saying he remains prepared to mediate an agreement that could bring Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s long-running criminal trial to an end, while also speaking out against the use of arrests against Chareidim who fail to report for military service.

In separate interviews with Channel 14 and 103FM ahead of Yom Kippur, Herzog said he believes Netanyahu’s trial should be brought to a conclusion because of what he described as its deeply negative effect on the country.

Herzog revealed that several months ago he offered to host mediation between the sides at the President’s Residence, potentially leading to a negotiated resolution of the case.

“I preferred to try something else, to try to reach mediation, to bring the sides to mediation under the President’s Residence,” Herzog said. “I proposed the mediation several months ago, also because I think this case needs to be concluded, because its impact on the country is very negative.”

Herzog said Netanyahu never formally accepted or rejected the proposal.

“He didn’t answer yes, and he didn’t answer no,” Herzog said, adding that he continues to leave the door open for the sides to come to him for mediation.

The initiative has been under discussion for months. Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara and State Attorney Amit Aisman previously indicated that they were prepared to hold discussions with Netanyahu’s defense team over a possible plea agreement, provided there were no preconditions and the negotiations did not delay the ongoing trial.

Herzog also addressed the highly contentious issue of Chareidi military conscription.

The president said he considers both IDF service and Torah learning to be significant values, while expressing reservations about arresting Chareidim who have failed to report for military service.

“I’m not enthusiastic about the tool of arrests. I admit it,” Herzog said.

Herzog said the government bears responsibility for developing other possible sanctions rather than relying on arrests.

The president also weighed in on the controversy surrounding the film “Naza,” which has sparked outrage in Israel over its portrayal of the IDF’s conduct in Gaza.

Herzog sharply condemned the film, saying it reportedly ignores the October 7 massacre and presents a distorted picture of Israeli soldiers.

“I think this film is a disgrace,” Herzog said.

He stressed that significant IDF operations receive close legal scrutiny regarding potential harm to civilians and said he personally knows of military operations that were postponed or canceled because of concerns over harm to noncombatants.

Herzog also addressed concerns surrounding Israel’s upcoming elections, saying officials have examined potential scenarios involving attempts to disrupt the vote but that there is currently no concrete indication of an effort to “steal” the election.

The president reiterated his call for political leaders and parties to lower the temperature during the campaign.

“Elections are not a civil war,” Herzog said, warning against rhetoric or campaign material that could encourage violence.

Turning to violence in Yehuda and Shomron, Herzog strongly condemned attacks carried out by Jews, describing what he termed “Jewish terrorism” as a serious stain on the country and saying greater coordination is needed between the IDF, police, prosecutors, law enforcement agencies and local authorities.

Herzog said he supports the establishment of an independent investigation into the failures surrounding October 7 following the elections, saying Israelis deserve a thorough and independent examination of what occurred.

The president concluded his remarks with a message ahead of Yom Kippur, pointing to the pain he encounters in meetings with bereaved families and wounded Israelis and calling for national unity despite the deep political divisions confronting the country.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)