Government Press Office 🇮🇱

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[Government Press Office 🇮🇱 @GPOIsrael]

(Communicated by the President’s Spokesperson)

Tuesday, 28 April 2026 / 11 Iyar 5786

*President Isaac Herzog Meets with Jewish Community Leaders in Kazakhstan*

On April 28, 2026, President Isaac Herzog met with leaders and members of the Jewish community from across Kazakhstan and Central Asia at the “Beit Rachel” Synagogue in Astana. Attendees at the meeting included the Chief Rabbi of Kazakhstan, Rabbi Yeshaya Cohen, and the Rabbi of Astana, Rabbi Shmuel Karnauch.

The President heard from them about the activities of the community and discussed the challenges they face, efforts to preserve Jewish identity, and the importance of the connection with the State of Israel.

President Isaac Herzog:

“I am moved to be here as the President of the State of Israel. The Jewish story of Kazakhstan spans hundreds of years, which today translates into a modern and developing relationship.

“I thank President Tokayev for inviting me on this state visit, and I was delighted to meet him, the senior leadership, and the flourishing and thriving Jewish community.

“It is my great hope that this visit will bring momentum to the relations between Israel and the nations of Central Asia. The fact that I am here, certainly at this time, is not to be taken for granted, and it instills in me the hope that we will develop these ties for the benefit of the entire region, with the great light that our nation spreads throughout the world.“​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Attached photo credits: Kobi Gideon (GPO)

[Government Press Office 🇮🇱 @GPOIsrael]

(Communicated by the President’s Spokesperson)

Monday, 27 April 2026 / 10 Iyar 5786

*President Isaac Herzog Addresses Israel’s 78th Independence Day Celebration in Kazakhstan*

On April 27, 2026, President Isaac Herzog addressed an event celebrating Israel’s 78th Independence Day hosted by Israel’s Ambassador to Kazakhstan, Yoav Bistritsky, during the President’s official visit to Kazakhstan. In attendance were the Chairman of the Senate of Kazakhstan, Maulen Ashimbayev, ministers, ambassadors, and members of the diplomatic corps.

President Isaac Herzog:

“I join you now following a series of bilateral meetings with President Tokayev and the leadership of Kazakhstan. I want to commend President Tokayev for his bold leadership in joining the Abraham Accords and extending an invitation for me to visit here.

“We stand now at a critical crossroads and a decisive inflection point—not just for Israel, but for the entire region. Our choices here truly matter. The war with Iran has helped to isolate the extremist, oppressive Iranian-led axis, which has sought to sow chaos and terror for decades. And our activity has been strengthened by an alliance of moderates, a coalition of nations driven by a desire to cultivate cooperation and offer an alternative to the family of nations, all through the channels of the Abraham Accords.

“This new and emerging coalition holds great promise. It can draw on the best of our creativity and goodwill to dramatically shift the trajectory of the Middle East and of the Eurasian region at large. And it can reach far across spheres and sectors — trade and innovation, energy and environment, medicine and science, food and water security, cyber and AI. In short, it encompasses everything.”

Attached photo credits: Haim Zach (GPO)

[Government Press Office 🇮🇱 @GPOIsrael]

(Communicated by the President’s Spokesperson)

Monday, 27 April 2026 / 10 Iyar 5786

*President Isaac Herzog Welcomed by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan in Astana*

On Monday, April 27, 2026, President Isaac Herzog landed in Astana, beginning his official visit to Kazakhstan.

President Herzog was received by the President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan at a ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Astana. The two presidents held a private meeting, followed by an expanded bilateral meeting attended by senior Kazakh government officials. The leaders discussed deepening relations and advancing strategic cooperation between the two countries.

President Herzog expressed his deep appreciation for Kazakhstan and commended its decision last November to join the Abraham Accords, as well as its membership of the Board of Peace led by President Trump.

President Isaac Herzog:

“It's a huge honor for me to be here in the Presidential Palace in Astana. I bring with me a senior delegation of leaders and experts in fields of importance to the future of the cooperation between our two nations.

“Your decision, Mr. President, to join the Abraham Accords was a very bold decision. It was warmly welcomed in Israel, around the world, and in the White House. I also was happy to witness your presence at the declaration of the Board of Peace, which is a very important entity dealing with the current challenges. This is a move that sends a clear message to the world: it is possible to choose the path of partnership, responsibility, and peace.

“I would like to focus on how we can double, treble and more the volume of business and trade between our nations. We are close to approving direct flights, and I think that this can have a huge impact on business and trade, especially as part of the Abraham Accords family.”

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev:

“I made a decision to bring my country into the Abraham Accords, and we believe that the Abraham Accords have fundamentally reconfigured the Middle East's geopolitical architecture, creating a strategic framework for regional stability, shared prosperity, and collaborative efforts to address common challenges.

“With pride, wmphasize that there is no antisemitism in Kazakhstan, and Judaism is one of four official major religions in Kazakhstan, alongside Sunni Islam, Orthodox Christianity, and Catholicism.”

Attached photo credits: Haim Zach (GPO)

[Government Press Office 🇮🇱 @GPOIsrael]

(Communicated by the President’s Spokesperson)

Wednesday, 29 April 2026 / 12 Iyar 5786

*President Isaac Herzog: "I am horrified by yet another violent attack on Jews in broad daylight on the streets of London."*

President Isaac Herzog:

“I am horrified by yet another violent attack on Jews in broad daylight on the streets of London. We are praying for a speedy recovery for all those injured.

“Let me be clear: No Jew anywhere in the world should be a target because of their faith. In one of the great capital cities of the West, it has become dangerous to openly walk the streets as a Jew. This is an unacceptable situation. The British government and authorities must take urgent and immediate action before the next antisemitic attack occurs.

“We have raised the alarm over the rise in global antisemitism again and again. It's time for the world to wake up and fight this vicious wave of Jew hatred with all possible means. We in Israel will not stay silent as our Jewish sisters and brothers are threatened and attacked around the world.”

[Government Press Office 🇮🇱 @GPOIsrael]

💔DEVASTATING: Amer Hujeirat, an Israeli civilian earthworks contractor working on a Defense Ministry project, was killed Tuesday during IDF and security forces’ operations in southern Lebanon to destroy Hezbollah’s terror infrastructure.

May his memory and bravery never be forgotten.🙏🏻

#israel #standwithisrael

[Government Press Office 🇮🇱 @GPOIsrael]

Raised in radical Islam.
Questioned everything.
Chose a different path.

New podcast interview out now with @yaron_avraham78 on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.

#israel #gaza #standwithisrael #radicalislam

[Government Press Office 🇮🇱 @GPOIsrael]

*Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Fallen Soldier Sgt.-First Class Lidor Porat*

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this morning (Sunday, 19 April 2026) [translated from Hebrew]:

“My wife and I, together with all the citizens of Israel, share in the profound grief of, and send our deepest condolences to, the family of fallen soldier Sgt.-First Class (Res.) Lidor Porat, of blessed memory, who fell in battle in southern Lebanon.

I wish a speedy and full recovery to our fighters who were wounded in this difficult incident.

Together with his comrades, Lidor fought heroically to defend our communities and our citizens, as we shall continue to do.

May his memory be a blessing.”

[Government Press Office 🇮🇱 @GPOIsrael]

🕯️FALLEN HERO:
Sergeant First Class (Res.) Lidor Porat, aged 31, from Ashdod, a soldier in the 7106th Battalion, 769th Regional Brigade, fell during combat in southern Lebanon.

May his bravery never be forgotten.🙏🏻

#israel #standwithisrael

[Government Press Office 🇮🇱 @GPOIsrael]

*Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Fallen Soldier Warrant Officer (Res.) Barak Kalfon*

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this evening (Saturday, 18 April 2026) [translated from Hebrew]:

"On behalf of all the citizens of Israel, my wife and I send our heartfelt condolences to the family of Warrant Officer (Res.) Barak Kalfon, of blessed memory, who fought heroically and fell in southern Lebanon.

We embrace Barak’s family and loved ones in their difficult hour, and wish a speedy recovery to our wounded fighters.

Our forces will continue to operate in the security zone to thwart threats directed against them and our communities, in accordance with the ceasefire agreement.

May his memory be blessed and cherished forever."

[Government Press Office 🇮🇱 @GPOIsrael]

🕯️FALLEN HERO:
Command Sergeant Major (Res.) Barak Kalfon, aged 48, from Adi, a combat soldier in the 7056th Infantry Battalion, 226th Brigade, succumbed to his wounds after being injured during combat in southern Lebanon.

May his bravery never be forgotten.🙏🏻

#israel #standwithisrael

[Government Press Office 🇮🇱 @GPOIsrael]

His brothers murdered his sister.

Raised in radical Islam.
Questioned everything.
Chose a different path.

New podcast interview out now with @yaron_avraham78 on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.

#israel #gaza #standwithisrael #radicalislam

[Government Press Office 🇮🇱 @GPOIsrael]

*Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Statement on Lebanon and Iran*

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this evening (Thursday, 16 April 2026) [translated from Hebrew]:

"We have an opportunity to forge a historic peace agreement with Lebanon. President Trump intends to invite me and the President of Lebanon in order to try to advance this agreement.

This opportunity exists because, since the 'War of Redemption,' we have fundamentally changed the balance of power in Lebanon. We activated the pagers; we eliminated the massive arsenal of 150,000 rockets and missiles that Nasrallah prepared to destroy Israel’s cities. We eliminated Nasrallah. This balance has shifted to such an extent that over the past month, we began receiving calls from Lebanon to hold direct peace talks between us. This is something that hasn't happened in over 40 years. I answered that call, and I agreed to a timeout, or more accurately, a temporary ten-day ceasefire, to try and advance the agreement we began discussing during the meeting of ambassadors in Washington.

We have two fundamental demands for these peace talks: First, the disarmament of Hezbollah. Second, a sustainable peace agreement, peace through strength. To achieve this ceasefire, Hezbollah insisted on two conditions: First, that Israel must withdraw from all Lebanese territory, back to the international border. Second, a ceasefire based on the 'quiet for quiet' model. I agreed to neither of these, and indeed, those two conditions are not being met.

We are remaining in Lebanon in a reinforced security buffer zone. This is not the 'five points' that existed before 'Roaring Lion.' This is a security buffer that starts at the sea and continues to Mount Dov and the foothills of Mt. Hermon, up to the Syrian border. This is a security strip ten kilometers deep, which is much stronger, more intense, more continuous, and more solid than what we had previously. That is where we are and we are not leaving. This allows us, first and foremost, to block the danger of an invasion into our communities, and secondly, it allows us to prevent direct anti-tank fire into the communities. The residents are now protected from these two dangers. Of course, there are still problems; They still have rockets left. We will have to deal with that as well, as part of the progress toward a security agreement and a continuous peace treaty.

But there is something else, and I want to tell you what it is. I have spoken with President Trump over these last two days, and he told me he is tremendously determined to continue the naval blockade and to bring about the dismantling of Iran's nuclear capability, what remains of it. He is not giving up on this. He is certain he can eliminate this threat once and for all, continuing the great things we have done together. Of course, we will also handle the missile threat and the enrichment capability. I will not elaborate. These are two very important moves that can fundamentally change our security and diplomatic situation for years to come. With G-d's help, we will act, and with G-d's help, we will succeed."

[Government Press Office 🇮🇱 @GPOIsrael]

https://t.co/CUVJYgu18G

[Government Press Office 🇮🇱 @GPOIsrael]

*Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the Situations with Lebanon and Iran*

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this evening (Wednesday, 15 April 2026) [translated from Hebrew]:

"I stand by the residents of the north who are continuing to stand firm. At the same time, our forces are continuing to strike Hezbollah. The fighting is focused on Bint Jbeil. Bint Jbeil was the capital of Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. This is the place where Hassan Nasrallah said 26 years ago: 'The Israelis are cobwebs.' We are about to overcome Bint Jbeil; we are, in effect, about to eliminate this great stronghold of Hezbollah.

At the same time, I instructed the IDF yesterday to continue widening the security zone and to also spread it eastward toward the slopes of Mount Hermon, so that we can better assist our Druze brothers in their time of distress.

Concurrently, we are conducting negotiations with Lebanon. These negotiations have not taken place for over 40 years. They are happening now because we are very strong, and nations are coming to us, not just Lebanon. In the negotiations with Lebanon, there are two central goals: First, the disarming of Hezbollah, and second, a sustainable peace. Peace through strength.

And there is one more thing, of course. Our American friends are updating us constantly on their contacts with Iran. Our goals and those of the United States are identical: We want to see the enriched material removed from Iran, we want to see the cancellation of enrichment capabilities within Iran, and of course, we want to see the opening of the straits.

It is too early to say how this matter will end, or even how it will progress. In anticipation of the possibility that fighting may resume, we are prepared for any scenario."

[Government Press Office 🇮🇱 @GPOIsrael]

*Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Speaks with Hungarian Prime Minister-elect Peter Magyar*

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hungarian Prime Minister-elect Peter Magyar held a warm, introductory call, today (Wednesday, 15 April 2026).

Hungarian Prime Minister-elect Magyar stated his intention to maintain the close relationship between Hungary and Israel, and invited Prime Minister Netanyahu to participate in a ceremony commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Hungarian Uprising.

Prime Minister Netanyahu welcomed his remarks and accepted the invitation and invited Prime Minister-elect Magyar to a government-to-government (G2G) meeting in Jerusalem.

Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed his confidence that the warm relations shared with outgoing Prime Minister Viktor Orbán would continue during the term of Prime Minister-elect Magyar.

The two leaders agreed that their respective foreign ministers would meet soon to discuss the continuation of the close ties between Israel and Hungary.

[Government Press Office 🇮🇱 @GPOIsrael]

https://t.co/mj2F4bfSTz

[Government Press Office 🇮🇱 @GPOIsrael]

*Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Meets with Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka*

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today (Tuesday, 14 April 2026), at the Prime Minister’s Office in Jerusalem, met with Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka

Prime Minister Netanyahu:

I'm delighted to have this visit by our great friends from Czechia. The Foreign Minister is an exemplary representative of this friendship. I want to thank you and, of course, [Czech Prime Minister] Andrej Babiš, for the great support that follows a very long tradition between the Czech people and the Jewish people.

In the previous century, it proved to be a remarkably moral partnership that has been proven by time. And now we're trying to elevate it to an even higher status. I want to thank you for your friendship and for your integrity.

Welcome to Jerusalem.”

Video credit: Omer Miron (GPO) / Sound credit: Nir Sharf GPO)

Attached photo credits: Ma’ayan Toaf (GPO)

[Government Press Office 🇮🇱 @GPOIsrael]

*Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Fallen Sgt.-Maj. (Res.) Ayal Uriel Bianco*

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this morning (Tuesday, 14 April 2026) [translated from Hebrew]:

“Together with all citizens of Israel, my wife and I send our heartfelt condolences to the family of Sgt.-Maj. (Res.) Ayal Uriel Bianco, of blessed memory, who fell in battle in southern Lebanon.

We embrace Ayal’s family in their difficult hour and share in their profound grief.

We all salute our heroic fighters and will continue to act to ensure the security of the residents of the North.

May his memory be a blessing.”

[Government Press Office 🇮🇱 @GPOIsrael]

(Communicated by the President's Spokesperson)

Tuesday, 14 April 2026 / 27 Nisan 5786

*Visuals of President Isaac Herzog at the wreath-laying ceremony for Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Day in the Warsaw Ghetto Square at Yad Vashem*

Attached photo credits: Ma'ayan Toaf (GPO)