On February 10 – 2016, MK Isaac Herzog, leader of the Zionist Union and head of the opposition, spoke at JPC about the plan adopted recently by his party regarding the relations with the Palestinians. He said that he was committed to the two-state solution, but right now the chances of a political breakthrough are slim, and therefore we need to separate from the Palestinians and take measures to reduce the friction and the violence.
Click here to watch the event.
About the speaker:
M.K. Isaac Herzog, son of former Israeli President, Chaim Herzog, was born in Israel in 1960. He completed his army service with the rank of major (res.). He holds a law degree from University of Tel Aviv and is an attorney by profession. In November 2013 Herzog was elected Chairman of the Labor Party and assumed the position of Leader of the Opposition in the Knesset. In December 2014 Herzog formed a political alliance with MK Tzipi Livni’s Hatnua Party, making the newly-created Zionist Union Israel’s largest Centrist political party, and Isaac Herzog was the leading candidate to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the national elections in March 2015.
Isaac Herzog served as Secretary of the Economic-Social Council (1988-1990), as Government Secretary (1999-2001). He was elected to the 16th Knesset in 2003 as a member of the Labor Party. In January 2005 Isaac Herzog was appointed for the first time to a cabinet position in the Israeli Government, and served as the Minister of Housing and Construction. In May 2006, he was appointed Minister of Tourism. In March 2007 he was appointed Minister of Welfare and Social Services & Minister of the Jewish Diaspora, Society and the Fight against Anti-Semitism.
During Operation Cast Lead in Gaza (December 2008 – January 2009) Isaac Herzog was appointed by the cabinet to be the Israel Government Coordinator for the provision of humanitarian aid to the population of Gaza. In February 2009 he began his second term as Minister of Welfare and Social Services. In January 2011 he resigned from the government.
Isaac Herzog speaks Hebrew, English and Arabic, has published articles in the Israeli and foreign press and has published two books, the latest one titled: “Work Plan – a recipe for economic welfare”. Herzog is married to Michal, and lives with her and their three sons in Tel Aviv.
