(Communicated by the President’s Spokesperson)

Wednesday, 30 September 2026 / 19 Tishrei 5787

President Isaac Herzog Visits the IDF Judea and Samaria Division Following Recent Violence in the Area

President Herzog on the violence in Judea and Samaria: "We are a nation of the rule of law, and as a democracy with the rule of law, we make sure that the rule of law applies here. I condemn any effort to undermine this by vigilantes, and we will do whatever it takes so that these vigilantes will be arrested and brought to trial."

President Herzog on the incident on the Flydubai flight: "I want to thank the heroes on the plane, and I'm hopeful that the Israelis who are flying from Saudi Arabia will reach home soon. I want to thank our partners and friends. The United Arab Emirates is fighting terror with us and with other nations in the region."

On September 30, 2026, President Isaac Herzog toured the headquarters of the IDF Judea and Samaria Division, following recent incidents of violence in the area. President Herzog met with the Division Commander, BG Kobi Heller, received a briefing on the operational situation in the sector, and delivered a statement to the media in English.

President Isaac Herzog:

"We had a very challenging few hours with a very frightening and worrying terror attack on a plane. Thank God that everybody is being rescued, and I want to thank the heroes on the plane, and I am hopeful that the Israelis who are flying from Saudi Arabia will reach home soon. I want to thank our partners and friends. The United Arab Emirates is fighting terror with us and with other nations in the region. We must not allow terror to destabilize the region, and we must prevent all efforts to undermine the stability and peace in the region."

"I am here to support the IDF soldiers and commanders in the Judea and Samaria region, as well as their colleagues from the Police and others. We are a nation of the rule of law, and as a democracy with the rule of law, we make sure that the rule of law applies here. We condemn, and I condemn, any effort to undermine this by vigilantes, and we will do whatever it takes so that these vigilantes will be arrested and brought to trial. The events have been severe and totally unacceptable.

"The main challenge of our forces here is to prevent terror. There are terror challenges all the time. We thank the IDF for both fighting terror and applying the law, and applying and honoring judgments. I am sure that together with all the forces on the ground, we will be able to overcome all challenges."

Attached photo credits: Shalev Shalom

Video of President Herzog's Statement to the Media (English)

https://wetransfer.com/downloads/f995e0f56bcfecfba75c228d2b400c0820260930142931/32f715fa7ae44d1a6a8da5c585375d0c20260930144003/87d1b8?utm_source=wt_sendgrid&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=TRN_DL_WTP_01&trk=TRN_DL_WTP_01

Video credit: Gregory Bado (GPO) / Sound credit: Gideon Arnold (GPO)

Benjamin Lee, benjaminl@president.gov.il, 050-6169572