Herzog will keep Shabbat during visit to Germany

While in Germany, Herzog will attend the Munich security conference and meet with leaders of the Jewish community.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

President Isaac Herzog’s office has calmed controversy by announcing that there will be no meetings on Shabbat during his visit to Germany.

Herzog, whose grandfather Rabbi Yitzchak HaLevi Herzog was the first Chief Rabbi of Ireland has received criticism for releasing official statements on Shabbat.

Herzog congratulated Israeli gold medalist Linoy Ashram and released a statement on Moody’s credit downgrade on Saturday.

The Director-General of the President’s Residence called Interior Minister Moshe Arbel and confirmed that Herzog’s Friday meetings in Germany will stop before the beginning of Shabbat and there are no scheduled events on Shabbat day.

While in Germany, Herzog will will be present at the Munich security conference, attend bilateral meetings and attend events with Munich’s Jewish community.

Accompanying Herzog will be Foreign Minister Israel Katz, a son of Holocaust survivors who previously has refused to visit Germany.

President Herzog has been active in encouraging global advocacy for the release of hostages.

On New Year’s day, he released a statement, “As we enter 2024, I call on the entire family of nations, on all world leaders, to demand and work for the immediate, unconditional release of our hostages,” said Herzog.

“Babies, the elderly, women, men, are being held in brutal captivity by Hamas, without vital medication or visitation from the Red Cross. Their immediate release is at the core of our battle with Hamas terrorists in Gaza.”

“May the light dispel the darkness, and may the New Year bring peace, hope, and healing for all.” Herzog said.

When he attended the World Economic Forum at Davos, he sat with a picture of Kfir Bibas, who turned one-year old in captivity and urged the audience to be concerned with the plight of Israeli hostages.

“Many Israelis are asking themselves in many debates, and correctly, so, how come such huge humanitarian aid goes in, and Kfir Bibas and all of the other hostages are not even getting any help at all in any way, form or manner,” Herzog said.