President Herzog says Israel continues to seek peace with neighbours

Shortly before the first anniversary of the Hamas massacre on October 7, Israeli President Isaac Herzog announced that he intends to overcome hatred in the region.

"We have not abandoned our deep longing and pursuit of peace with our neighbours," Herzog said in a speech. "We are a people with the strength to rise against hatred time and again."

He stressed, "We will not stop believing that a better world is possible."

At the same time, Herzog reminded that the wounds of the people in the country still cannot fully heal. He asserted that "hostages are still being tortured, executed and dying in captivity."

Herzog said that Israel continues to experience the aftermath of the brutal terrorist attack.

He noted that tens of thousands of internally displaced people still cannot return to their homes, and worldwide, anti-Semitism has emerged following the Gaza War as a result of the Hamas massacre, he said.

The terrorist assault destroyed the sense of security for people in Israel, and the Jewish state continues to be threatened by Iran and its proxies, he said.

For Muslims, Christians and Druze in Israel, as well as Jews worldwide, it has been a year "full of suffering and devastation," Herzog added.