Portrait of Isaac Herzog
Politician · organisation
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Isaac Herzog on Hamas

Condemns Hamas as terror (strong)

TL;DR

Isaac Herzog views Hamas as a barbaric, evil entity whose terror and military capabilities must be completely dismantled.

Key Points

  • Urged the world on August 6, 2025, “not to fall for Hamas's lies” amid a public relations campaign against Israel.

  • Stressed that Hamas must fulfill its obligation to release all hostages—the living, the fallen, and the murdered—on October 13, 2025.

  • Stated in December 2023 that the struggle is between the values of the free world and a jihadist culture epitomized by Hamas and its backers.

Summary

Isaac Herzog unequivocally condemns Hamas, characterizing the organization as a “machine of evil” and an “empire of evil which emanated in front of our eyes” that embodies a jihadist culture bent on total eradication of others. Following the October 7 attack, he stressed that the conflict is an existential struggle against this barbarism, not a battle between religions or just Israel and Hamas. The President has urged the international community not to believe the group's misinformation, calling on global pressure to secure the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.

The position implies a goal beyond a mere ceasefire, aiming to change the entire regional equation by destroying Hamas’s military capacity and ability to rule Gaza, as past outbreaks of violence have shown no lasting solution. He has also maintained that while Israel operates under international law, it has no choice but to fight until the backbone of Hamas is broken to ensure Israeli citizens can live in peace. The President emphasizes that the people of Gaza are not the enemy, but criticizes the local governance for using civilian areas to house terror infrastructure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Isaac Herzog considers Hamas a brutal terrorist organization responsible for the atrocities of October 7, 2023. His position is one of outright condemnation, demanding the group's military capabilities be dismantled to ensure Israel's security.

The core stance of viewing Hamas as a terrorist threat appears consistent, especially following the October 7 attack. However, he has actively stated Israel's willingness to enter truces and exchange aid for hostage releases, which represents a tactical shift in negotiation posture.

President Herzog frequently urges the international community not to believe Hamas's claims, describing their narratives as lies used in a public relations campaign. He contrasted these with images of captured hostages to underscore the group's brutality.